Day 3

I AM A MOUNTAIN
By Karen Keough-Huff…

When I was young

I loved climbing trees

All the way to the top

The wind blowing

Swaying me back and forth

40 feet up with

The air whistling

Through the branches

I was never afraid

Then one day

I heard your voice

At the bottom

Of the tree

Are you up there?

She asked because

She could not look up

It made her sick

With fear

I responded Yes

Get down now she said

And I made my way

To the ground

Without fear

I was told to never

Climb trees again

For three weeks she

Checked my hands

For tree sap

So I washed my hands

Before she had

the chance to check

not letting her fear

become mine

When I grew up

I learned to fear

And there was a time

When I became a small tree

Standing by myself

With two hundred miles per hour

Winds blowing at me

Bending and bent

But not broken

Now I am a mountain

With a forest

Surrounding me

With trees of

Friendship, caring, and empathy

A mountain complete

With hills and valleys

Of life’s experiences

And now

With love and support

I live my life

With purpose

I am a mountain

Karen Keough-Huff has self-published 3 books and is currently working on a book of poetry.  Her background in education and in business includes curriculum and handbook writing, as well as technical writing as a documentation specialist.  She is a member of the writing sisters and co-vice president of Zonta of Quaboag Valley.