Unwanted Voices

Climbing to My Freedom (Deadly)

I work and work

For holds in the megalithic wall.

Setting cambers and pitons

for protection at strategic points

along the way.

Confident and strong,

I clip into the last anchor

thirteen feet from the top

my fingers aches,

and I think my knuckles

will swell later,

but I don't dare stop.

I step on a narrow rock shelf

And it crumples,

Making me scramble for a foothold.

I find one, push up,

smash my knee

into a jut of granite.

Fear of failure impels me

Toward the maximum.

With a burst of energy

I thrust myself up and over.

My entire world forever far

beneath my feet.

Sweet mountain air

filled in my lungs,

I should be feeling accomplished;

Instead, I find myself

looking over the ledge..

Screw my courage, I step over...