One Eye Open
And she stood at the top of the staircase Looking down the perilous steps. Looking down the fragile railing She saw where she had been As she rested at the top Saving breath for her next climb And wondering if she would ever get there. But she stood at the top of that staircase Happily exhausted, With one eye wide open Remembering every laborious inhale And shallow exhale, Gasping at times, Remember her recent journey Moving upward, Moving forward. With only one eye open, She made it to the top And turned and broke a slight smile Knowing with all that she experienced The next staircase Would also be climbed This time With both eyes open. CNK