the descent

in a way, here’s a descent,
a goodbye to the summit.
relinquishing to fight steeper,
bowing to something deeper.
sacrificing the lofty,
falling, veiled in clouds,
hidden in trees, again.
there’s always a move,
there’s always still.
down to the depths,
you fill.

the descent.
from the thin place,
to the thick heavy place.
from the seeing place,
towards the sea level place.

the slide down,
somewhat automatic.
at last noticing,
the legs weary from the climb.
momentum drives,
chases gravity,
quicker than i can counter.
declination, from elevation.
higher perspective slipping away,
like rope through repelling fingers.
ground level groans,
crying out from the dust,
louder with every footfall.

base camp arrival.
feels different from above,
anticipation dried,
like the overlooked jetboil.
eyes gaze upward,
with gratitude, yes,
but seasoned with a weighty goodbye.

quiet falls.
then lungs fill,
with fresh oxygen again.
belly once again fueled
with sustenance long craved.
and body repairs,
tending to the costs and expenditures
of all ascent’s affairs.

settled.
mind and spirit renewed again,
from elevation fog and summit fever.
ground feels firm, footing remains,
standing steady on what camp offers.
til the snow of summit melts,
only dusty boots and storied stains.

quiet calls.
dirt whispers layers,
and the summons of high peaks
rise quietly from afar.
a whistle with new water boiling.
a tug at the gut reminds,
i’m still roped in for journey.
my guide maps out,
a wink in early daylight,
tracing new routes.
a glimmer in the eye,
pencil behind the ear.
sun shows a tent, this camp,
not one we’ve slept before.
not a retreat at all,
a base camp for something more.

dawn rises.
with warmth of morning’s glow,
hope, wonder, head lifts,
there’s a beyond i didn’t know.
the descent wasn’t backwards,
in fact, a perfectly executed onwards.
plunging the depths and breaths
of deep gorges and valleys,
fueling each ridge and pass to come.
the journey always upwards,
the adventure never done.

in every way, here’s an ascent.
to set my face higher.
aware of climbs far steeper,
exposed at levels deeper.
moving towards the thin,
sacrificing all for more beauty
found at peak proximity.
there’s always a move,
there’s always a still.
up on the heights,
you fill.