Even the Dark Won’t Stop You
how to climb a mountain
by the magical Maya Stein
Make no mistake. This will be an exercise in staying vertical.
Yes, there will be a view, later, a wide swath of open sky,
but in the meantime: tree and stone. If you’re lucky, a hawk will
coast overhead, scanning the forest floor. If you’re lucky,
a set of wildflowers will keep you cheerful. Mostly, though,
a steady sweat, your heart fluttering indelicately, a solid ache
perforating your calves. This is called work, what you will come to know,
eventually and simply, as movement, as all the evidence you need to make
your way. Forget where you were. That story is no longer true.
Level your gaze to the trail you’re on, and even the dark won’t stop you.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:26 am
thank you for posting again.
July 21st, 2009 at 7:41 am
Brilliant.
July 21st, 2009 at 11:06 am
amazing photo
July 21st, 2009 at 12:58 pm
thank you, this is really fantastic timing. DH has just told me he has lost work as a freelancer as the company has gone into administration.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
awesome.
awesome.
awesome.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
Oh, how I needed this today.
Thank you!
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:59 am
this is crazy beautiful and encourages my spirit in my wild journey of mothering!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
so beautifully said… ~ M.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:59 am
LOVE this Jen. I gotta put it somewhere in my home…thank you!
WRO
July 26th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Focus.
brilliant and sooo true…thank you for reminding me x
July 26th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
What a brilliant look at the human mind. So true! Really a reminder of the path forward every day, and keeping your eyes on just that, the path, not the destination. Thank you!
July 27th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
beautiful….true in reality & metaphor…
July 30th, 2009 at 11:23 am
I LOVE this peice. Wow. I found you via Mighty Girl, and I’m glad I did. It’s weird, right before I found your site today, I wrote something that is very similar, please stop by if you have time.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Words I needed to hear. Thank you Jen. xo
August 9th, 2009 at 1:00 am
wow…found your blog by accident…not really, more like by chance…and I wanted to say THANK YOU.. thank you for such amazing words of enlightenment and beauty…if I were to be near you I would hug you..ramble on sista…PEACE!
August 12th, 2009 at 9:31 am
This image…stunning. It resonates with me like you can not imagine.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Just found your blog and I am really enjoying it. You are such a beautiful spirit. Thank you for inspiring all of us to open our hearts to possibility.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Wow, is this not the truest thing ever said or what!? Life is one giant mountain. It’s a hell of a climb, but the view in the end is absolutely worth every bead of sweat.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Why did it take me so long to discover you and your blog? It’s wonderful. You’re wonderful. Hello!
August 30th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I keep coming back to this posting to soak up the words and energy. Thank you x
September 18th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
when are you posting again?
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:09 am
Oh, dear. Did this blog pack up and move with no forwarding address?
October 4th, 2009 at 8:39 am
your photos are amazing and your words inspiring.
we need more jen lemens in the world today
October 4th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I miss your posts…
November 9th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I too am missing your posts. I hope you are well. Lisa
November 24th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
LOVE, LOVE. mountains hold a huge place in my heart and this poem speaks symbolically to where i find myself in this moment. thanks!