We lost the trail momentarily,
it sunk into the spongy forest floor

and opportunity arose between
the wide-spaced trees, each gap

an alluring possibility.
Silence settled down,

protected from shearing winds
by a sheer rock face,

only small vibrations,
the distant clip clip of a carabiner,

hinted at the climbers advancing
insect-like up the  wall.

We went up, found our path
beyond a slew of boulders

and then, of course,
saw the simpler way there;

I was distracted by envy,
by the vertical nature

of those on belay,
their higher climb

presenting greater difficulty,
opening up for a faster,

farther fall,
but giving a more perfect solution

to this enduring desire: To ascend,
no matter the cost. To rise above all.