Volcan Acatenango, Guatemala—

I loved the story you gave about your hike. I wanted to picture it a bit more so I wrote this poem.

She woke to begin her arduous endeavor,
heart fluttering in excitement to see anew.
From the image of herself, she would have never,
but determined is she to capture a new world view.

Step after step continuing into her ascent
the chilled air freezing her freckle-face sweat,
she wishes she had clothes halfway decent.
Onward she goes, pushing away thoughts of regret.

Hours of hiking have her whole body aching.
Both the trail and she are reaching their end.
She is almost at the point of breaking
when she sees the light just over the bend.

Languid, she takes the final steps of her climb.
All her pain now worth this moment — once in a lifetime.