Mountain of a Man

Mountain of a Man

Part I

Mighty mountain standing solo,
Not a thought of the waters waiting below.
Murky might they be but poised with purpose.
Instantly ignoring the reforming rain,
Coming awesomely from above, also of cloudy cover.
Seeing sights of heavenly heights without wonder.

The greatest on this green globe,
Built by numerous sheets of soil,
Constructing skyward slowly, weighing wayward.
Living lonely above all consistent creations.
Never once pausing to ponder
What wonders may lie over yonder.

As self-centered souls frequently fall,
Fate did not forget an awkward avalanche.
The mountain's malnourished stature
Gave glory to the downward demise—
Baptized in the below raging river it is given grace,
For no way can the waters be ignored when found face to face.

Part II

Looking longingly upwards upon once haunted hills,
Help, for which he has asked, encroaches encouragingly,
Made mild now, diffusing despair with hope.
Beneath him before, they now abide above, to endeavor for equality.
Around him, another learned lesson resounds —
Hark! This virtue offers hard and hearty grounds.

Author’s Note: "Mountain of a Man" explores themes of pride, downfall, and redemption, using the imagery of a mountain’s solitary grandeur and eventual collapse into a river as an extended metaphor for the protagonist’s emotional and spiritual journey. The poem is divided into two parts: the first illustrates the mountain’s (and the protagonist's) prideful isolation, while the second captures the transformation brought on by a humbling fall.

The use of alliteration, vivid imagery, and contrasting tones between parts underscores the protagonist’s transition from arrogance to humility and the psychology that goes with. The mountain’s “lonely above all consistent creations” stance reflects a self-centered existence that ultimately leads to its collapse, while the river symbolizes both the chaotic force of failure and the cleansing power of grace. This dual symbolism invites readers to reflect on their own encounters with pride and the potential for renewal through humility.

The closing lines shift from individual transformation to a broader lesson about equality and community. The mountain’s fall is not an end but a new beginning — a chance to rebuild on firmer, more virtuous ground - this time, not alone. Through its metaphorical lens, "Mountain of a Man" offers a poignant reminder of the importance of humility, interdependence, and growth through life's inevitable challenges.