When I first saw Nature’s majesty,
I wanted to be more than an onlooker.
I wanted to feel it with my whole embrace.
Stone under my chest and wind over my back.
Like lover’s digging their fingers
into each others' flesh.
There’s a part of me,
that needs to climb.
A part of me,
that only finds peace in those moments.
Zeroing in on the here and now
Suspended in the winds that breathe life to flora and fauna below.
We are intrepid explorers of the vertical. Conquerors of the altitude. Thru-hikers passing Heaven.
And during my adventure upward:
I find myself singing.
I find myself doing my best Rufio.
I find myself being strong, delicate, and thoughtful.
I find myself being immersed in the beauty of this whole world
and weary of vast air beneath.
Here I am.
Somewhere I was never meant to be.
Somewhere reached by the divinity inside the human spirit.
Somewhere God did not intend me to be.
I'm somewhere achieved by cutting my knuckles, scabbing my knees, and shredding my fingertips.
by falling, clawing, screaming and laughing
by early mornings and moonlit excursions.
I got here through lonely hours, broken dates, and self induced torture
I got here because I've seen the monstrous fear my spirit could conjure
And now I stop at nothing to vanquish that beast.
Once the battle is over,
And we summit,
I don’t expect a medal or reward,
I don’t expect to find God or enlightenment.
But for a moment
I will fix my gaze on the horizon.
I will be with the eagles.
I will be silent
I will be grateful.