Member Poem

Rearing up
before it lies
dark shadow cast
and block the sky

through bitter cold
and blazing light
even its might
now scars are borne

slippery grit
and loose stones
ledges narrow
and cracks tight

flesh so weak
and spirit quakes
the one must climb
and overcome

simple brawn
courage strong
no sure path
nor way marked

still set forth
and ascend
with care probe
and errors find

else do waves
in cold wind crash
splay like ice
on tender flesh

no skill or might
nor daring deed
courage counts not
to cross this path

yet go we must be
in fragile shell
toss to and throe
with towering might

white knuckles seize
as muscles shake
our bowels like waters
and strength flows away

and charted course
soon lost within
and all our tries
are not enough

far below
in blinding light
white gives way
to new life

yet there not
the path is not
and frozen cold
is one our way

mud so cold
on stones slip
grasping roots
stops our steps

warmth does melt
yet bitter cold
steels away
both strength and will

yet others behind
for us depend
to open the path
and mark the way

heart does pound
dry is mouth
and muscles quake
and fear is strong

one cannot know
and hope is weak
still we take
another step

‘tis through grace
that lifts us up
the way still hard
but our burden light

together we
still onward go
together on
‘tis through grace