Come, my son, and light the fire,
spread the blanket, sit and listen.
I will tell you, since you ask me,
of this thing which you would know.
Once I too did ask my father,
as my father did before me.
You are young and still must question.
I am old, and soon must go.
Far away, the mighty mountain,
brooding, rises from the waters.
Crowned with clouds, it stands eternal,
there is naught it has not seen.
If a brave should dare the journey,
(there are dangers past all telling),
he might climb and reach the summit
where no lesser man has been.
Through the forest, past the frost-line,
cross't the ice of endless winter.
Skirting fissures and crevasses,
through the blinding rain and sleet.
On the summit of the mountain,
under skies which rise forever,
he might go and ask his question,
seated at the Knower's feet.
Be he strong and brave and daring,
he might sit and ask his question.
Be he pure and wise and faithful,
he might sit and he might listen.
He might sit and he might listen
to the wind above the waters.
He might sit and he might listen,
then he must return again.
Author notes
The risk of the quest is that
you might find what you seek.
Thanks to:
H.W.Longfellow
A contest entry
- Risk by Draig aine.
2250 points, ended September 30, 22 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
-
I too had the feeling that this poem read a bit like Hiawatha
A reminder of those days when age was respected for the wisdom it could bring to the young
-
oh what a tale you have spun, the quest, the ultimate risk, the years you swept away, my fathers voice softly reciting by memory
"By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees,
Rose the firs with cones upon them;
Bright before it beat the water,
Beat the clear and sunny water,
Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water. "
Longfellow the song of Hiawatha
you have given me both an outstanding epic and the gift a memory which brings a tear to my eye. Thank you
-
A beautiful adventure poem that reminds me of the poets of old days, which is a high compliment, for I love them so.
All lines leading to excellence! 
-
This has so much time, wisdom and peace about it. And a sense of the permanence that we can offer to those who are younger and whom we so dearly love. Above all, it seems to me, the most important part of this is that we should all listen. To each other, to ourselves, to the wind, trees and all things that can make murmur. Loved this M.... but I always love what you write. Best love, Debs xx
-
Wonderful rhythm to this poem, like that of Longfellow and his epic poems. This reads like an epic, a Pilgrim's Progress to knowledge and enlightenment. I like it, the description of life's journey and the handing down through generations of the encouragement to each son, that this is the only thing in life worth doing well.
Adding your comment:
1 - 5 of 5
