,

Tested by the steep hill’s hike

In the sun’s heat of midday,

Then dismayed by the long tunnel’s darkness

— Shuffle walking and flashlight guided —

She pauses at tunnel’s end,

Hands-on-knees exhausted.

.

There stands the red door, her ninth this month,

Five steps up and then five more.

Regaining sufficient stamina,

She continues her ascent with fingers crossed.

She dreads a tenth disappointment,

But she’ll turn the knob just the same.