Pushing the stone uphill —
we struggle, aware
that one slip
and down it comes
to crush us.

We make deals —
buying minutes,
selling hours,
we waver at crossings
asking which way to go . . .

You, who are the Rock,
You, who are eternal,
Who know the way —
teach us how
to ballast our stones.

Have mercy on us,
always pushing —
always pushing —
against this thing called life.

Since January 20, 2005

©2003 Shirley Anne Leonard
Photo by Richard Leonard