13. I climbed up

I climbed up
    The ladder of ambition
    Only to be caught
    By the frustration-giant.

I climbed up
    The ladder of aspiration
    Only to be embraced
    By my Realisation-Father.

I climbed up
    The ladder of surrender
    Only to be immortalised
    By my Perfection-Mother.
Sri Chinmoy, The Golden Boat, part 3, Vishma Press, New York, 1974