We promise one another value in this deceptive climb
Up twisting slope with gentle grade turned arduous
Difficult scramble with slips, slides, and sinks into avid mud.
Too late, we realize this was a terrible idea, turn to face down.
Down is worse than up, maybe because we know what’s waiting
Beneath breeze-swayed branches shivering shadows over doom.
Facing the final stretch, we pant, heave, and toss brave words
We hope are heard, believed, and encourage the other
Because we cannot do this alone, refused to relinquish quest.