You try to walk forward, but instead you go down, hitting the pavement hard, making cracks, scars.
You didn't even know you could fall that hard.
You try getting back up.
It works.
And then.
Someone trips you.
You're down again.
Hitting harder, you're further down.
You're bleeding.
Bones broken, body aches.
It doesn't look like you'll see the sun again.
It seems like you'll be facing that ground the rest of your time.
And then.
You're on your hands and knees. You want to reach the top again.
You need to reach the top again.
Wincing, closing your eyes, you start looking up.
Seeing the stars. It's night.
It's beautiful.
And so you're off of your hands, and only on your knees, breathing hard, but breathing.
In. And out.
Almost give up. It's so tiring.
But you don't.
Because you know you don't want to.
You know you've got to keep moving towards the top.
You squeeze your eyes shut, clench your fist, and grit your teeth.
You WILL make it.
And eventually, you do.
Hands still clenched, body aching.
But it is worth it.
After all, you're staring up at the night sky, the wind in your face.
The stars in view.
You don't need a figure to bow down to.
You got up on your own.
And now you're walking over the cracks in the pavement, the puddle of blood, and you're moving forward.
A smile on your face.
