fought through the pain
of each slow step
saw hills above me as I went,
looked at the ground,
hid what was ahead,
more hills and paths
I’d have to tread,
quiet, no noise except the wind,
no distraction to be had,
I felt the old familiar dread,
how to continue, reach the end,
I paused and felt what rose within
the fear, pain, hope
of each new breath,
in and out, the tears they fled,
from weary eyes inside my head,
sat where I was, made it my bed,
long moments passed, a hazy mess,
slowly awoke, felt renewed sense,
the hills and trails would never end.

Emily ©