When the mountain first appears a mile ahead,
there’s time to trick the mind into believing
it’s not too much for you, you can conquer this.
There’s time to tell the heart not to fear, be brave.
And then breathe deeply.
When the mountain looms just above and within
reach, that is the moment when you must decide
to stay who you are or find the courage to
reach beyond your self-imposed limits, and climb.
Choose climb. Breathe deeply.
When the mountain and you become one, it is
at once all things: hope and despair, life and death.
Each step, a small victory. Each misstep brings
at once pain and gratitude: You did not die.
Climb on, breathe deeply.
When the mountain sits beneath your feet and you
look back at the roads that brought you there, each near
death survival declares: You’re not who you were.
Look ahead to the next mountain to conquer,
and then breathe deeply.
September 2, 2013
