I enjoy poetry and over the years I have written some for my own enjoyment. Since poetry, more than almost any other type of writing, should be shared I am going to use this page to share my own creations. I hope you enjoy this collection.

 

The Mountain

I wrote this poem for an English assignment during my junior year of high school. I only got a B+ on it, which was disappointing, but I have always enjoyed reading it. It stems from an incident that happened at Zion National Park when I was a child.

I was at a Junior Ranger program in the Nature Center and the ranger asked us what we would be if we could be something in nature. Almost all of the other kids listed an animal like bear or fox. I said I would be a mountain. Even though I was young it felt profound and the ranger said it was a very good answer.

When I was a ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park I gave an evening program on the geology of the mountain. I ended each show by explaining the meaning of this poem and then reading it out loud. I received a lot of positive feedback which is always nice.

I have entered this poem in many contests but have never won. I am sure it is missing the right timbre or pacing, but I have no desire to change it. So I now present it to the world wide web. Feel free to use it if you see fit. All I ask is you give credit where credit is due by using my name as the author. Also I ask that it only be used for good, not evil reasons. Enjoy!

The Mountain

by Jennifer Marie Vandenberg

 

In the beginning of time

There was a Mountain.

I am that Mountain.

Here I stand; this Mountain.

 

Here I stand, ever changing,

Never still, always different.

Allowing the rain and erosion

Of other elements’ troubles to wear me away.

 

For now I am comforting, peaceful

A haven for others

To enjoy my beauty and

Relax within my trees.

 

And I, this Mountain

Though abused through time

Stand through it all

Majestic and calm.

 

On day I shall fall.

It may be through the

Slow eroding of time

Or in one fiery turn.

 

And this I except,

Being a mountain.

Knowing that though I fall

My memory will not.

 

And someday, through time

Another mountain will rise

And the legacy will start again.

This I know as a mountain.

 

This I know and will know

For who am I?

I am the support of the earth

Being a Mountain.