the uphill climb

I remember
going up these steps when
I was twenty.
bounding up the stone
staircase
to the lake,
the rail
in place,
the tall grass and weeds
on either side.
it was like running up
into the clouds.
up to where the sun was
colored round into
the azure sky,
then over the ridge
to a pristine pool
of water
where ducks would land,
would fly.
I remember that then,
as I go up now.
slower.
holding the rail, feeling
the ache
in my knees,
the weight of me
more.
but the heart still
the same,
expecting the best after
the struggle of
the uphill climb.