Diana Ensign

The poem, “When the Climb is Done,” is inspired by the Biblical story of Jacob’s Ladder. Although in the story Jacob struggles at the bottom of the ladder, this poem has the reader not only climb the ladder but go beyond the ladder itself. This re-telling is grounded in Buddhist philosophy and also in a desire to create a new paradigm for the care of our Earth home. The bobcat, once endangered and now a protected species, references recent bobcat sightings captured in video by the Sycamore Land Trust at Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve. The poem ends with an allusion to Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh’s meditation: “Breathing in I see myself as still water. Breathing out, I reflect things as they are.”

About Diana

Diana J. Ensign is an award-winning author, essayist, and poet. Her writing focuses on healing, nature, inner peace, and radical compassion. Her books include A Moment of Calm, The Freedom to Be, Heart Guide, and Traveling Spirit. Heart Guide and The Freedom to Be are IPPY Gold Medal winners. She also writes the popular blog, “Spirituality for Daily Living.” To learn more, visit her website.