painting by John McNaughton
I only recent conquered one
Not so distant past
But each peak now seems harder than
Was climbing up the last
I’m walking so much older now
Much slower than before
It’s time to lay some burdens down
And shoulder them no more
Perhaps I’m almost finished
My climber says I’m not
My will is not diminished
My body not quite shot
But one can hardly ever tell
When one’s nice trail will end
What waits beyond horizon’s hill
Or ’round next river bend
And there will be that one higher
More fright’ning to attempt
Looming there one last hard climb
Where no one is exempt
Daunting doubts I reckon
Uncertain and unknown
Cold airless shadows beckon
To scale it all alone
You fool you will not be alone
The trail well-marked and lit
The crags will have beginner’s holds
You surely will not slip
Up toward my final peak
The one on which I’ll stay
I’ll wait until He finally speaks
Then lifts my soul away
Thus will it be that in the end
I’ll rest there where He Is
In the beauty of the Endless Land
With Him and all of His
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