I heard a voice

Quiet and still

I gazed around

From my silent hill

 

A ways off

I saw a wall

Straight up and down

Infinitely tall.

 

There hung a rope

Stretched to infinity

Again the voice:

"Come unto me."

 

Those words cut deep

So deep, I stood

Grabbed the rope

Jumped high as I could,

 

But my arms were weak

And could not hold.

As I fell, I thought,

"Why was I so bold

To think my strength enough

And my grip would hold?"

 

In anguish I cried,

"Why did you call me,

I, who is weak,

With this impossibility?"

 

The answer came

As a whisper, still:

"I saw you, child,

On your little hill.

I saw your desire

To go so much higher

And with my help

I know you will.

 

"I called you before

To see if you would,

I call once again,

I see you are good.

 

"Come unto me

And for a little while,

Continue to climb

And learn from this trial."

 

Silence fell

And as I waited,

Tears spilled over

My heart deflated.

 

I gazed through blurry vision

Into the clouds, into the heavens

I saw them open and out descended

 

Loving hands, seventy times seven.

 

Surrounding me

My burdens they bore.

I grabbed the rope

And began once more.

 

My arms worked hard

But I did not fall

I had help and support

As I climbed this wall.

 

As higher I climbed

I began to see

That there was much 

In it for me.

 

Hand over hand

Higher and higher

My arms grew stronger

My grip made tighter.

 

My strength did fail me

Many, many times

But the angels never did

Throughout the tiresome climb.

 

There were times, too

That my thoughts would be

"I can't do this

I'm too weak for thee."

 

In those moments

At times stretched for hours

I cried for help

My soul was devoured.

"I want to come

Please don't leave me be."

And a response would come

"I still wait for thee."

 

In comfort and hope

I regained my strength

I kept on climbing

And saw the end at length

 

I reached the top

But a ledge blocked my way

"How can this be?

I can not finish," I say.

 

Two strong hands

Grab mine and say

"I am the path

I am the way."

 

Pulled over the top

I'm drawn in and embraced

"Well done, my child,

You see my face."

He pulled me back

And I saw His eyes

Full of love

I was His prize

 

The words he spake

To my heart they went

"Thou hast done well

My good and faithful servant."

 

- Pink Cat (10/30/18)