And she stood at the top of the staircase
Looking down the perilous steps.
Looking down the fragile railing
She saw where she had been
As she rested at the top
Saving breath for her next climb
And wondering if she would ever get there.
But she stood at the top of that staircase
Happily exhausted,
With one eye wide open
Remembering every laborious inhale
And shallow exhale,
Gasping at times,
Remember her recent journey
Moving upward,
Moving forward.
With only one eye open,
She made it to the top
And turned and broke a slight smile
Knowing with all that she experienced
The next staircase
Would also be climbed
This time
With both eyes open.

CNK