Excelsior, excelsior:
Still higher, ever upward;
Excelsior, excelsior:
Still higher, ever upward.
I want to climb these mountains, Lord,
And see You face to face.
I want to press along this path,
Ever onward, by Your grace.
I don’t want to live life low,
Walking the easy paths of earth.
I want to go higher, to rise above,
And rest someday at Heaven’s hearth!
Excelsior, excelsior:
Still higher, ever upward;
Excelsior, excelsior:
Still higher, ever upward.
~Julie Hochstetler, Oct. 2020
/~/
This poem was inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem of the same name, that I read in school. It speaks of a young man who climbs a mountain, though advised not to, and ends up reaching Heaven. (The poem says it way better. š) It stuck in my head and kept running through my brain that day, and eventually this poem was written. Also, I discovered (after I wrote this poem) that hearth doesn’t actually rhyme with earth (English, peoples; that’s all I say); however, we shall pretend it does! š
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
“Higher Ground” song, words by Johnson Oatman, Jr.
By faith on heaven’s table-land;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
What a challenge to keep growing in God!! š
Exactly! Longfellow’s poem really challenged me; that young man was determined to go higher, even though people were telling him not to and tempting him to stay and trying to plant fear/doubt in him–and because he pressed on, he reached the Highest Place. I want to be that way. š
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