Thirteen Steps

Thirteen steps
Thirteen steps up to my room and
this doesn't sound like much
but it has become all consuming
I have to go up them to go to bed
I stand there at the bottom
and I look up with dread
My breathing has become labored
because cigarettes
was the condiment I favored
I am now being assaulted by COPD
It snuck up from behind
and has taken control over me
The invincibility of youth
came to a crashing conclusion
When I heard there is no cure,
no quick fix, no solution
So I struggle up the steps
hanging on to the railing tight
knowing that come one day
I am going to lose this fight