The Climb
Its familiar here in the mire
I feel the cold muck seeping into my shoes
I am glad of the dark, relieved to be blinded
To the cold and slippery walls that encase me
My fingers search out a strong hold
Amongst the sludge
My palm finds something sharp and wicked
I feel the warm blood
Trickle down my wrist
I take a breath and try a different path
I pull myself up, my feet make a sucking sound
As I leave the dank earth of this place
Fingers slip, grasping at my ankles
The slime of their creation leaves them
Impotent
Up the wall I climb, hand over hand
Powered by my sweet, sweet
Lying smile
I can see the promise of moonlight above
I drop my guard and drive
My kneecap into an outcropping
The pain as I analyze it, halts my ascent
A single tear in my right eye
Consciously blinked and dismissed
I focus on the light and let it fuel
My tenacity
Hours or is it days go by before
I feel the healthy grassy rim
I bury my nails into the clean
Gritty dirt
I have made it out once again
I roll to my back
basking in warm rays
You can’t do this to me
Any more
This piece of paper declares
A real smile reaped
Lights my face