Foothold

The ridge had long hinted
At strong and at weak.

Both threatening wall
And welcoming peak.

A taunting horizon
For shortening years.

One sun, but two shadows:
Equidistant fears.

For my life I have watched you
Like my father before.

Do I die without knowing?
Or climb to find more?

Compelled to discover
With answers so near.

And with thoughts so contorted
By a limbic leer.

With the bristling awareness
Of a fate not yet sealed.

A decision is reached
That the great peak shall yield.

Looking back, I now see
Having long since set off
Though in first breaking trail
Of course, I could not.

That the struggle continues
Tearing sinew each step
Sensing one fear replaced
By its twin, in regret.

Sensing one fear replaced
By its twin, in regret.

Growing nearer, hope holding
Simple foothold a fall.

Damaged limb, but not fatal
Just a moment, to stall.

Rising up, now mere steps
From the summit, look down.

To stare out across that
Which was already found.

I am here, at the crest
Where my eyes always fell
Did I leave them for this?
Frozen lips cannot tell.

Looking back, I now see
Having long since set off
Though in first breaking trail
Of course, I could not.

That my time, and this mountain, and my father before
But a cycle of reaching and striving to claw
Moving higher, hands clasping, eyes looking for more
Not a thing left to find, in all that I saw.