Why I Keep Climbing

Many folks compare life to a winding road,

But I compare life to a vast mountain.

A mountain that must be climbed to reach Heaven,

Because at its base waits the devil Satan.

There are great vertical expanses on this crag,

It is rarely a gentle sloping peak.

These hardships are the way the Lord tests us,

Separating the strong from the spiritually weak.

Some chose to given in to the devil’s promise,

“Stay here at the bottom with me, it’s much easier.”

While others climb half way and quit,

Choosing to hang by life’s tether.

I have had my opportunities to stop my climb,

Or even listen to Satan and quit,

But my soul was given a desire to carry on,

A fire within me, a passion that won’t relent.

My grandfather finished his climb two years ago,

And his last words to me spoke from his pride.

Since then I have climbed even harder to fulfill a vow,

I will not let his words be false, not even when I have died.

Let the mountain bring what it can to stop me, for it never will.

I will fight until all that is left is death’s dark shroud.

And then I will smile as I remember Poppy’s last words:

“You’re a good boy and I know you’ll make me proud.”