My Mountain, inspired by Neil Gaiman

Socorro Peak (M Mountain), T.A. Irion, used by permission

In Socorro, New Mexico, a mountain rose up from the desert in our extended backyard.  The local academic community called it "M" Mountain, so named for the prominent M that, like a misplaced Hollywood sign, advertises the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

I chose to attribute that M to Michelle instead.  From the moment I saw it, I knew this was my mountain.  We all need a mountain to call our own.  To ground us and guide us, to act like a beacon, and aide us in reaching our "impossible" dreams.

Today's little ditty was inspired by a commencement address that Neil Gaiman (award-winning author of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama) delivered to last year's graduates of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.  In my mind, Neil Gaiman is both a genius and an addiction.  To that I must now add a damn good motivational speaker.  This 20 minute video is a testament to those talents, and comes with a wholehearted recommendation for anyone who works, lives, and breathes the creative realm.  Even if you decide not to watch the video, I hope that you can glean some inspiration from my poem which was written in response.

My Mountain, inspired by Neil Gaiman

 I. My mountain.

    There is a mountain

    cloaked in enlightened illusion

    and impossible possibilities.

    It cracks the sky

    and breaks all the rules.

II. My adventure.

     Slowly…

     Steadily…

     I advance toward the summit.

     Sometimes nimbly;

     often clumsily;

     always purposefully

     to avoid the scorpions,

     the rattlesnakes,

     and the imposters.

III. My Voice.

      Along the way,

      I send out signals:

      messages in bottles

      bearing witness

      to the pen in my hand

      and the heart on my sleeve.

      Mostly they smash

      on craggy rock.

IV. My Bliss.

      All will be well—

      my mountain is in view.

      Such is my life

      of work

      that’s not work.

      My glorious and fantastic

      mistakes.

© 2013 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.

There's still more inspiration to be had at The Poem Farm.  That's where you'll find Amy Ludwig VanDerwater with today's Poetry Friday roundup.