8 March 2004 11:31 pm
The Journey
As I lay in the valley,
I opened my eyes and the dazzling light blinded me,
Yet I could see the halo of the sun overhead.
As I crawled toward the mountain,
I opened my fist and the piercing rocks cut me,
Yet I could feel the warmth of the earth below.
As I toddled toward the mountain,
I opened my mouth and the sour skin sickened me,
Yet I could taste the sweet nectar within.
As I walked toward the mountain,
I opened my nose and the thick smoke nauseated me,
Yet I could smell the fresh breeze above.
As I climbed the mountain,
I opened my ears and the screeching wind deafened me,
Yet I could hear the soothing melody ahead.
As I stood upon the summit,
I opened my heart and the mountain embraced me,
And gave my life a flame.
Cazenovia, New York
1992
I wrote this poem for an Advanced Placement (AP) English assignment. I'm not sure what the assignment was, but, based on reading this poem, perhaps it was related to multiple metaphors and parallel structure. I feel like this poem is unfinished and needs polishing. I probably ran out of time and had to submit it.
