the summit calls

solid rock rises high
punches the sky
slick
smooth
gray brown tall
rough
jagged green walls...

unforgiving
unyielding
always beckoning--
and the summit calls.

lasso the moon
climb aboard
in your dreams at night
the elusive satellite...

your daydreams
follow close behind
a hand grip here
a toehold there--
oh the summit calls.

dirt under your feet
earth below your soles
gravity
trees
fall away
tendons
muscles
straining--
the summit still calls.

pulling
gritting
fingertips
powdered and dry
forehead wet
one more breath
wedging
rubber slips
over the under
hangs
one more meter--
hear the summit call.

wind at your back
pushing
swinging
steady last ten steps
cool on your skin
the valley below
heaven.

the trip back
afterwards--
the summit answered.