Boots crack through frozen puddles
the trail smells sharp and wild;
the mountains hum their endings
still gentle still beguiled
Each step repeats a mantra:
“you’ve come now let it be”;
the trees bow down in greeting
to those who learn to see
A raven scolds our hurry
the sky refines to gray;
we take our photo smiling
then quietly walk away
For every peak we conquer
and every mile we roam—
the truest climb is inward
the summit always home