Yesterday’s Horizon

Summary

The text reflects on the metaphorical and literal journey of climbing a mountain, symbolizing the struggle and understanding found in the pursuit of challenging goals.

Abstract

"Yesterday's Horizon" is a contemplative piece that draws a parallel between the physical ascent of a mountain and the emotional journey of overcoming suffering. It describes the relentless effort required to scale a mountain, with each step reflecting the pain and determination of the climbers. The narrative suggests that the act of climbing is akin to confronting the memories and pains etched in one's heart. The climbers, driven by a desire for peace and understanding, push beyond their limits, only to find that the mountain's peak is elusive until the final moments of their journey. The text is inspired by the Greek tragedian Aeschylus and is dedicated to someone who will never read it, implying a deep personal connection or loss. The author posits that mountains are climbed not merely for their existence, as famously suggested by George Mallory, but as a means to experience pain with a purpose, to find meaning in the struggle itself.

Opinions

The author believes that the pain of climbing a mountain serves a clear purpose, akin to a "living metaphor."
The act of climbing is seen as a voluntary embrace of suffering to achieve understanding or catharsis.
The mountain's peak is often unseen during the climb, symbolizing the uncertainty of progress in personal or emotional journeys.
The text suggests that the true reward of such a challenging endeavor is the shared glance of understanding between those who endure the climb together.
The author challenges the famous quote by George Mallory about climbing mountains "because they are there," proposing instead that the motivation is to experience a meaningful struggle.

You and I Suffering

Photo by Oxana Lyashenko on Unsplash | What we saw then is where we stand now.

[Read outloud slowly]

To plumb the suffering in our unforgetting hearts, We scale this noble mountain to its peak.

Each exhausted step of aching legs, Powered by the gasp of lungs hallucinating air, Shall find a silent agony.

Dreaming of peace, we close our eyes And lie upon a slope of stones, Only to arise in a solemn blur Of climbing in our sleep.

Wincing, weary, uncertain of our progress, We perch on yesterday’s horizon In search of another and another, Until we trade a glance of understanding Against our will.

Inspired by Aeschylus and dedicated to one who shall never read it.

You generally can’t see the peak of a mountain while climbing it until you are almost upon it. You just see one horizon after another, wondering how many are left, imagining they could go on forever.

I climbed several fourteen-thousand-foot mountains in the Rockies. Contrary to George Mallory’s opinion, I suspect we climb them, not because they are there, but because we want to experience a living metaphor in which pain serves a clear purpose.