Tension

The line is taut

The deeper I go the more I tug,

making sure there is no slack.

I’ll need to find my way back.

The deeper I go, the more I’m aware

of where my anchor is. Is it buried

deep enough? Is it heavy enough?

I finger the rough

frayed edge

of rope.

It is taut, yet frayed

in places.

In these places

where I doubted myself.

Where I almost lost control.

The rope was taut then,

enough to pull myself back,

as taut as it is now.

I still worry.

The rope seems

to never

go slack.

Perhaps it will be the fraying

that let’s me go,

that kills me.

The line is maybe too taut,

and will snap from tension.

I cannot repair my rope,

only treat it

better

as I climb.