Climbing                                                        
        Climbing
Climbing
Blisters form on my fingers as I reach from one ragged stone to the next
                  Climbing
         Climbing
Climbing
"I can do this" I tell myself. My palm is numb, the pain does not matter.
                   Climbing
         Climbing
Climbing
I smile, the top is near. Reachable. It does not matter that the air is thin up here and I can hardly breath
                    Climbing
          Climbing
Climbing
I reach up for the final time and pull myself up onto the top.
"I did it," I tell you smiling brightly. "I've finally reached where you are."
I want to shake your hand but mine is filthy with blood and gravel
You come closer, it frightens me and I back away
"You had it easy, I have suffered much more than you." You say. But I can see your hands are smooth and beautifully clean. Your nails painted and pristine.
You turn away. Your long hair slaps my face. My foot slips.
Falling
       Falling
               Falling