This poem was written at the top of West Mountain, which is adjacent to Bear Mountain, NY, after the fourth time in a month that I ran up the trail to the top. The poem is for my daughters, for Catherine and Maria, in honor of their graduation.
It is the entirety of my worldly wisdom in one poem. (It is a very short poem.)
In striving
to reach the top
the path will get rocky
steep
steeper
you will labor
struggle
stumble
fall
again
and again
there are two choices
give up
or go forward
don't give up
break through
push on
it may
take longer
be harder
than you ever thought it would
when you began
there's no shame
in a short rest
when gasping for air
if many pass you
go at your own pace
but go
keep going
don't give up
break through
push on
if the trail is lost
search for it
keep searching
if you still cannot find your way
ask for help
don't give up
break through
push on
you'll reach the top
but
you may find yourself
back at the bottom
and you will look up
and see how far away
the top is once again
if you do
you can either
despair
at having to again
make the climb
and refuse to go forward
or
believe
that the next climb
will be easier
because you are stronger
and I hope
you will again
not give up
but will push on
and break through.
Remember, I will
always be there for you.
Your proud, loving Father.
June 2018.
Douglas J. D'Jay, the IT manager at Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association, wakes in the wee hours of the morning so he can run up or hike up a local mountain (rain or shine) before beginning his workday.