Ascension

The path is well-worn
trod by so many before us
still chosen to this day
by those with hearts that love

the ascension is the struggle
the weariness of the soul
the trembling of our muscles
as strong and fast we hold

we summit ever faster
swift and sure beneath the sun
confident in each certain step
a marathon we’ve already won

but the clouds will come
to hide the lofty peaks
setting us to stumble
as our hearts surely break

we wander and we climb
blazing a trail or following
living fully on those rises
so far from the world we’ve known – Caroline A. Slee