Ten Things of Wonder: Poem IV

That Part of the Soul

There is singular part

of the soul that draws

me to the top of a mountain—

that drives me to climb to the top

and conquer—there’s that desire

to see and know more

to experience all the

fullness of life that

Earth encompasses. It

is a thirst that keeps me

young and alive. There’s

a part that is insatiable

and must be tamed. But

let me tell you, that thrill

at the top, the chill of sharp

wind and exquisite and

beauty below… it ignites

another part of the soul…

the part that wants to soar—

to jump off the ledge and fly

on wing like an eagle.

But two things hold my

feet in place: reason and

humility. Oh for the strength

of these gifts that anchor

and enable me to take my

place in perfect order. And that’s

as exhilarating as the

flight of an eagle high

above the mountain top…

to take

my place in

perfect order.

Bonnie Saul Wilks

Holiday Island, Arkansas

February 21, 2012