CONQUEST

The highest rank

The mountain raises
its lordly head in a daze
and abhors its state of affairs,
alone, so high,
unreachable, made of stone.
Seeing a man going up its side,
mountain rules:
"You're not eligible for this."

In bliss, the man climbs higher.
"I have set my heart upon you."
Mountain roars,
"I will not let you through.
You’re so low; I’m so high.
Your zeal is just a show.”
It tosses an avalanche from its crown.
Man slips, and
tumbles down.

With his passion, man
is a fool, but has
fire in his soul.

Even a setback had its use,
falling down was no excuse.

Bruised and lame,
man rises up,
when there's hope,
there's no stop.

Ashes and rocks,
mountain throws,
fumes, and puffs;
lava flows.
The lovelorn man is now aflame;
he grabs the peak just the same.
he twists in pain,
he is in shock,
he caresses the lofty rock.

But...
mountain is humbled
mountain is tamed
mountain turns red
mountain's ashamed.

Mountain confesses,
"Your will has won,
you are with me from now on.
The wine of truth
from you I drank.
Only love can reach
the highest rank.”