Observations placeholder
Frost, Robert - It took that pause to make him realise
Identifier
006710
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
In mountain symbolism, the steepness of the climb is indicative of the difficulty of the task. Difficulty is not the same as the scope of the task. A personal challenge can be still a difficult one, hence the person may only see a hill – indicating a personal challenge, but if it is extremely steep then the challenge is significant.
A description of the experience
Robert Frost – from The Poetry of Robert Frost
It took that pause to make him realise
The mountain he was climbing had the slant
As of a book held up before his eyes
(And was a text albeit done in plant).
Dwarf cornel, goldthread and Maianthemum
He followingly fingered as he read
The flowers fading on the seed to come;
But the thing was the slope it gave his head;
The same for reading as it was for thought,
So different from the land and level stare
Of enemies defied and battles fought.
It was the obstinately gentle air
That may be clamoured at by cause and sect,
But it will have its moment to reflect.