Precipice

The air feels different. Thinner. Fiercer.
The ground feels sure, but the tiny rocks crunch under toe
As we trod on.

I rub my hands together.
Rest
I command them, as I examine their cuts and calluses.

My legs start to groan from long journey.
My shoulders complain loudly
With blood do my feet spit

Here I am. I take my pack off.
I set it down and gaze in awe.
Gaze into the abyss before me.

Tears flood my eyes
As my soul and every muscle stretches.
I take off my shoes
The cold air starts its work.

I breathe deeply in the rest.
In and out and out and in.
Time stops and skips.
I no longer tell if it's hours, days, or simply seconds.

I look down at the workers.
Now I need you
The burns and blisters tingle. Ready.

I gaze once more at the bottom below.
Sad that there are people still living down there.
People I used to walk hand in hand with.

I lace my shoes back on.
Carefully checking for those tiny rocks.
I place myself on the cliffs edge now looking towards the sky.

My eyes fill with tears again at the beauty.
I shed them away as the call to come up echos around me
I listen carefully. Calling back to the wind to find the direction.

Squat.
I balance myself on the balls of my aching feet.
My legs explode out and my hands fly towards the sky.

For a second I cannot tell if I am flying or falling
The air becomes still
The chill of fear tries to step in.

Then the firm grasp of my Friend, the King.
His uninjured body and strength shock me as I am lifted
Higher and higher.

Land. A trail.
And far in the distance, a figure running ahead
Clothed in majesty.
In his hands, a mighty Sword.

The whole time it wasn't a precipice.
It was a new beginning.