Tuesday, June 06, 2006
The Mountaineer
A drop of sweat fell off his brow onto the dry rock below as he stood on the summit.
The climb was never easy. The ascent got off to a good start, with lush grass underfoot and a gentle slope which was testing without being excessively tiring. Not exactly a stroll in the park, but not Mt Everest either. As the journey went on, the vegetation took on a different hue in progressive shades of brown, until all that was left were tumbleweeds blowing in the wind.
Towards the middle the terrain became rockier and the gradient swept steadily upwards, until at some points it was passable only by vertical climbing. At times the rock grips crumbled in his sweaty hands and distractions were never far away, circling around him like vultures over carrion.
Occasionally there were angels who whispered encouraging words amidst the howling winds, but being transient beings they were unable to extend a helping hand, nor was it their place to do so, for this was an ascent that each individual had to achieve for himself. The treacherous terrain threatened to throw him off, and at one point a loud mocking voice resonated in the valleys, attempting to plant the seeds of doubt in his mind.
But he would have none of it. Even as the chances of reaching the top started slipping out of his grip, hope and dogged determination pushed him up just a little bit at each step, maintaining a mathematical possibility of success, however remote it might have seemed.
And yet here he was, surveying the land before him from the top as he propped up a foot on a wayward rock. He took a long, refreshing gulp from his canteen filled with his beverage of choice, and allowed it to slowly flow down his parched throat like cold water over a dry river bed.
Atop the summit, he could see the mountains he had conquered and left behind, all of which seemed like mounds of dirt in comparison. Turning around, he saw in the distance yet another peak, looming much taller than the one on which he stood.
*cue music : Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters*
And he whispered under his breath,
“I’m coming to get you.”
The climb was never easy. The ascent got off to a good start, with lush grass underfoot and a gentle slope which was testing without being excessively tiring. Not exactly a stroll in the park, but not Mt Everest either. As the journey went on, the vegetation took on a different hue in progressive shades of brown, until all that was left were tumbleweeds blowing in the wind.
Towards the middle the terrain became rockier and the gradient swept steadily upwards, until at some points it was passable only by vertical climbing. At times the rock grips crumbled in his sweaty hands and distractions were never far away, circling around him like vultures over carrion.
Occasionally there were angels who whispered encouraging words amidst the howling winds, but being transient beings they were unable to extend a helping hand, nor was it their place to do so, for this was an ascent that each individual had to achieve for himself. The treacherous terrain threatened to throw him off, and at one point a loud mocking voice resonated in the valleys, attempting to plant the seeds of doubt in his mind.
But he would have none of it. Even as the chances of reaching the top started slipping out of his grip, hope and dogged determination pushed him up just a little bit at each step, maintaining a mathematical possibility of success, however remote it might have seemed.
And yet here he was, surveying the land before him from the top as he propped up a foot on a wayward rock. He took a long, refreshing gulp from his canteen filled with his beverage of choice, and allowed it to slowly flow down his parched throat like cold water over a dry river bed.
Atop the summit, he could see the mountains he had conquered and left behind, all of which seemed like mounds of dirt in comparison. Turning around, he saw in the distance yet another peak, looming much taller than the one on which he stood.
*cue music : Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters*
And he whispered under his breath,
“I’m coming to get you.”
# posted by BloozeGit @ 1:36 am 
