‘Ascension’
To question,
How we wish to ascend…
Must we first consider,
A new means to measure elevation…
Aiming inward rather than upward
Where the pinnacle is determined not by the mountaintop—but by the climber
Immersed in the ostensible collective climb
Lest we forget to stop in the middle
To marvel at the riddle
In the midst of the steps
To ask ourselves why we are taking them…
Is the peak really what we seek?
Lest we confuse height with depth—
Alas!
We are here, now
Crystallized in the obscurity
Laughing at the absurdity
Our spirits ageless and unencumbered by time
Parts and particles,
Walking towards common ground
Revel as we level!
At this lovely intersection at which we share this earthly space
At the top,
If I save anything
It won’t be the world—
But rather a seat for you
Before we make our way down…
J.T. CONDE 