Us, Arriving Here

nothing has been harder work
i am all sweat like an explorer

ropes have been fastened
in unfathomable knots
variously a mist obscured the view

i grew dizzy on the thinning air
in higher parts
the shock of my own pulse

how often i have planned to stop
step aside
absolve myself of adventuring
put down my hat
look back

where are we now?

summer lies like a cat
across my year

love, you say?
pass me the mirror
i want proof i look content
before i journey on