Simply Climb

Thighs burning, jagged rocks just inches from my nose,

I boost myself higher and stare straight ahead.

One wrong step, one slipped hand hold.

Not daring to look down, not strong enough to look up,

I simply climb.

The harness tightens against me,

every muscle screaming,

shouts from below lost in a sudden gust of wind.

I wedge my fingers into the seductive cracks of the cliff,

and propel my body toward heaven.

Suddenly my face touches sky.

Reaching an aching arm up over the edge,

I grope blindly,

inch my toes deeper into the crevice,

push onto the tips and hoist myself up.

My knees scrape against stone.

Shaking so badly I can’t tell pleasure from pain,

I roll onto my side, and gaze at the valley beneath me.

I dare to breathe.