Trembling, I begin
At the feet of the mountain
Collapsed, consumed
Yielding to the grandeur.

With puckered steps
I begin my ascent
From tips curled
Past folds furled

I climb this mound
Across the holy ground
And then beyond
To the convenient pantheon

Scaling the tempests
To the Mounts Olympus
From Hades below
A tale of old

I reach the peak
Where Gods do speak
In wordless tongues
And take the plunge

Into the sacred abyss
A portal timeless
That’s made kingdoms worn
And heroes born

In it, I’m possessed
Fervent, helpless
To the spirit whose mesh
Consumes flesh

Draining me from tip to toe
Of all woe
And my journey halted
I lay exalted.

4.XI.24