What is it you’re not seeing

when you’re only

looking up?

Did you miss footprints

in the grass, making imprints

among the impossible?

Or further behind

on that scarred trail,

scrapes of rakes and hoes

barely staying steady?

It’s the indents in earth

that give it away, signs

everyone needs something

to rely on.

Yet in your climb, you forget:

You wouldn’t be here

if it weren’t for the mountain.

You wouldn’t be here

if it weren’t for the trail.

You wouldn’t be here

except for the footpath

cut through the treeline

and slump of every valley.

Maybe it’s time

to look down again,

remind yourself of stark reality.

Everything deserves

to be recognized.

(For more of Katherine’s excellent works, please visit her website.)