A Dangerous Ascent

He closed his eyes breathing deeply
His pounding heart is clearly heard
Gripping hold of a broken ledge
He forces himself to climb ever up

Shaking his arms as he continues
He pulls himself up onto the shelf
Falling onto the cold stone ledge
His eyes are drawn to his goal

Leaning his back against the cliff
He gazes at the ascent he made
He smiles at his triumphs wearily
Wincing as he remembers failures

Breathing slowly he decides to go on
Aching his hands bleeding as he climbs
Scraping knees on the rough rock face
He continues his ascent to the top

Catching hold of a treacherous ledge
He hangs suspended above an abyss
Fearful of losing his position he hangs
Body a pendulum swinging dangerously

His fear a tangible force that chokes
Hanging precariously he waits
Raggedly his breathing to his ears sound
Clutching the jutting rock tightly

He realizes he must do this alone
No one is around to lend a helping hand
Straining his limbs he forces himself up
He needed to continue on his ascent

He is caught on a dangerous ledge
No one is there to help save him
The rock he holds is beginning to break
Will he make it to the top or fall?