The Pit

with an almost audible thud, you hit bottom
leaning your head back, you squint up at the light far above
through the blackness you have fallen
through the pain you have fallen
through the sorrow
but far above you can still see the sun
you wonder how you can ever return to it
your mind is weak
your emotions confused
your body exhausted
you reach your hand forward
and grab the first rung of the ladder
with the last strength you have, you pull yourself up
rung by rung, you climb
step by step, you find who you are again
day by day, you return to the happiness you once knew
you know you will find a pit again
you know you will find yourself falling again
but the next time you will have the strength
you will have the knowledge
you will know there is always a light far above
you will know there is always a way to return to it

November 2, 2000

-Mark-