I am splayed, the floor of this road
bedding,
and those wailing vehicles
have passed me by.
A heap in dirt track, naked body,
cold skin, my bruises shine,
a reflection of ego that mirrors shame.
I know I must stand.
I must place a foot before another
and journey across this range of rock.
I must trek whole heartedly alone,
no aid nor backup
I undertake this expedition voluntarily.
Growth is personal and
loss is mutual.
I can only bloom through perspiration,
I can only flourish with perseverance,
these the rules of our contract,
these are my steps and stages.