Glory Within a Breath

Having retreated
Or been tossed from
The mountain
More often than she
Cares to remember
Felt unsure
Of ever having
Enough heart
To climb again
But here she is
Working her way
Over the face
And for the first time
It is possible
To breathe
At this elevation

She suffers no delusion
About ascension
Offering one way treks
And knows
Nothing withstands erosion
Forever
But one gasp
Living inside today
Is worth the fear of
Tomorrow starting over