Weight of The World

The higher the mountain on which you stand, the less change in the prospect from year to year, from age to age. - Thoreau

oh these things we should have long ago learned

those who play with fire are likely to get burned

perhaps it's worth the risk though

life can have many turns with such a long way to go

kneeling high and rising low

better to think and feel than know

especially when it comes to

heaven's light or hell's glow

acting young whilst looking older

an oxymoronic matter

for a weak recluse

trying to roll a boulder

especially a figment with only one shoulder

Author's Note

“I delight to come to my bearings,—not walk in procession with pomp and parade, in a conspicuous place, but to walk even with the Builder of the universe, if I may,—not to live in this restless, nervous, bustling, trivial Nineteenth Century, but stand or sit thoughtfully while it goes by. What are men celebrating? They are all on a committee of arrangements, and hourly expect a speech from somebody. God is only the president of the day, and Webster is his orator. I love to weigh, to settle, to gravitate toward that which most strongly and rightfully attracts me;—not hang by the beam of the scale and try to weigh less,—not suppose a case, but take the case that is.” - Thoreau