up the mountain with a tremble,
    no plan or gear or hope,
Sisyphus I must resemble,
    endless clamber; tedious trope.

no longer; I recall the base,
    the grass; the trees; the glades,
as I ascend; with unkept pace,
    the path behind me fades.

looming blizzard lingers behind,
   (it) taunts blowing in today,
upward; disheveled, lost and blind,
    no guides to lead the way.

forced to muster a clumsy strut,
     advancing; though I'm weak,
uncertain of journeys end; but,
    certain there is no peak.

footprints lie; not the first,
    bound to this torrid thirst,
desperate to be quenched,
    though heath and meadow drenched.

knelt; cupping at puddles,
   the clumsy hand muddles,
disturbs the dirt and then,
    tainted water; once again.

full moon appears at night,
    reveals fate in its light,
beg the tides "refresh my cup",
    answered prayer. still looking up.