Up the Hill

Up the Hill

by Tom King

When I was a young man, I could scamper

Up a hill like this. No Problem. No Wheezing.

Today I stood at the bottom of the hill breathing hard,

Oxygenating my blood, preparing for the climb.

My middle-aged dog looks at me like I'm crazy,

But she's going to be feeling it about three quarters

Of the way up; about the same time I start to wish

I had some oxygen with me. Must be the altitude.

I know this shouldn't be this hard, but every year

It gets a little harder. I can't stop walking though.

I'm doing the daily miles to keep a pace or two ahead

Of troubles I once thought reserved for old people.

It's just the hills that God throws up in my path that get me.

Just when I'm going along pretty well, an upgrade appears

For no reasonable purpose that I can figure out.

Big stupid hill right there in my way;gonna leave me winded.

I guess He knows something that I probably do not.

Something about hearts and joints and blood sugar I imagine.

It is a pretty climb, though, and there are some trees for shade.

And there's a bright light up there that looks kinda hopeful.


(c) 2015
Photo by Tom King 12/13/2015