Panting accompanies every step
An overworked cardiac muscle
Begging me to give in
To its request to inspect
The ground's temperature and comfort level

A condescending laugh escapes me
An endless bed of broken, jagged and slippery rock
Joined together haphazardly
To form an uneven and intimidating path
Are we certain this arrangement wasn't conspiratorial?

"Is this where you hope to find relief?"
My heart avoids answering the question
It simply makes the pull of gravity
All that much more powerful against me

"Rest, sit down, don't do it."
Limiting human whispers tell me
Don't they know who they are talking to?

Such foolishness is to be ignored
As I do
Anchoring all my weight
On a single point on my knees
Muscles tremble viciously
With every climb I force them to do

I tell my body what to do
It has no choice or will on the matter
My body shall give out
When I decide that it can

A rush of life cools my bloodstream
After every rock climbed
After every cautious but firm step
After pools of mud cake my boots

I didn't travel all the way here
To sit down
And witness others living
From the sidelines

A silent prayer for strength and endurance
Is the only trick required
© Elsbeth Mareile G.C.