Sad Mountain.

Esteve, Jean

I took my time about
  climbing Sad Mountain.
No hurry. A road
  cut through alder and pine,
then after a while just
  thatches of grass,
gold and wind bent,
  but I took my time.

I stopped at a church
  on the side of Sad Mountain
drawn by loudness
  the cries of "Lord! Lord!"
A small congregation
  held armfuls of snakes,
most of them limp
  hung there complacent.

I left the service
  to listen for birds.
Not a chirp transpired
  and when I looked up
no flicker of wings
  but cloud and cloud only
gray all the way to the top.

I gave up my quest
  for the peak of Sad Mountain
or any other
  such far away going.
The down trip was harder
  steep and stony.
I bought me a soda when
  I achieved bottom.