i built
a ladder
to the sun
before
my feet
were ready
for the climb.
there were
blisters
in my heart
and fear
in my breath
but
i walked up
each step,
clutching
the sides of a dream
with reality's
death grip,
slowly
falling up
to her
warmth.

along the way
i let go
of gravity
and pain
before
finding out
my mind
held on
to doubt
like the clouds
hold on to shadows
before
giving birth
to rain.

i built
a ladder
to the sun
before
my soul
was ready
for the climb.
but this time,
ascension is
not distraction
and i
will
not
look
down.