The Ascent

The ascent to Noon Peak
rose sharper than
our expectations,
moss cushioning the granite
white pink clover
stippling the rising swell
tree roots writhing
gripping our climbing feet
we clambering like
mountain goats
to finally stop
lungs sharing the searing air
tearing through our breath
the heat radiating
from us as though we
were heavenly bodies;
the center of a
universal blaze.