Fortune Favors the Bold A message to pursue, to persist, to achieve And to wear your heart - on your sleeve. As I gazed upon that frozen peak I knew my journey would not be for the weak The bitter wind that slapped my face The hands of millions who went without a trace The mountain guides to its starting pass Where the mud turns hard and becomes rock from grass One foot beyond the other I venture higher Wishing to be around a soothing fire. Alone I climb with my thoughts my companion Claustrophobic quarters until that first canyon And as I step out onto the flat plane I realise there is still so much more to gain. Despite weakening legs I soldier higher Looking to quench the explorer’s desire. Feet now trembling, I hook myself on a root Sending myself careening - destitute. Laying on my back with my gaze to the cloud Reminiscing on the times I’ve been cowed. But not today with firm endeavor To get to the top I’ve got to be more clever. Getting back to my feet I set my sights up above This is no task to fall short of. After what feels like a lifetime I come across a patch clear blue That lets me ponder all I’ve been through. A moment’s rest before I pick up again Almost done with my campaign. Towards the top the air turns to ice Ever further from the aquatic paradise. The tips of my toes turn to black But I know I cannot yet go back. Trudging up I must make it now Any other sentiment I disavow My chest starts pounding as I overcome Frostbite gripping from pinky to thumb Difficult to breathe in the altitude But determined still with thoughts renewed. And after hours of my labor past I finally reach my place at last A beaming sun cracks through the gray And the birds sing in the most triumphant of ways I know this would have been an experience lost Had I turned back at the first sight of frost.
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