This Rope

The rope strains

under the weight

of pressures and stresses

and all of the demands

and obligations.

There is always much work to be done

so the rope needs to stay

making me hold on with all of my strength.

It bends

and starts to fray

begins to unravel

despite all my best efforts.

It becomes ever so thin

this rope as my lifeline

the strands starting to fall

and slowly slip away.

Yet I continue to hold on.

It pulls and tears

gets heavier with time

burns my skin

taking pieces of flesh

with every tug.

Yet I continue to hold on.

There’s a weight at the end

not so heavy at first

it seems far too light

but it holds up the other end

soothing my nerves

and keeps me from releasing.

The strength of that pull

from the other end

is enough to keep me steady.

I know you won’t let me fail

and will catch me if I fall.

I do the same

holding onto to my end tight

even when I get weary

and feel like it’s the end.

Holding onto this rope,

I am willing to reweave any breaks

never letting you go.