The Climb

Tremulous and wary,

Scarred outcrops, hands do meet,

Risking all for summit,

Chasms at my feet.

 

Wending way through mire,

Sunken souls abound,

Treading carefully, unknown

Pathways to be found.

 

Clambering to mountain top,

Paths trod by others past,

Obliterated passage,

Take care and hold on fast.

 

On hands and knees to grip the way,

Rising then to greet

Peak among the clouds on high,

Accomplishment so sweet.

 

Faster than ascent of this,

Descent knows clearer rite,

Sliding swiftly, gloriously,

Abandoned safety flight.

 

Ascent’s a scary business,

Risking life and limb

But touching heaven’s foothills

Makes for worthy aim.

 

I said I’d never tackle

Such a one again,

Elevated trial,

Encountering so much pain.

 

New challenges arise and then

I don my hiking gear,

Embark on death-defying quest,

Inside my heart I cheer

 

At opposition clearly met,

In honest self-endeavour,

Braver than ignoring them,

Is trying with some fervour.

 

Sometimes we may not see the crest,

Shrouded so in cloud,

But effort and endurance

May make ourselves feel proud.

 

Some hardy togs, a hiking staff

And heart of sterner stuff,

Battling on, in adversity,

Often is enough.

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