Eagerly beginning the wall to scale,
Using only my hands and feet.
Resolved to follow the hardest trail,
I confidently place my cleat.

Suddenly, there’s no foothold to rest,
Desperately, I cling to the wall.
My heart is pounding in my chest,
My ascent slows to a crawl,

My feet and arms tire and shake,
The safety line invites me to bail.
Should I reach for the line and forego the ache,
Or continue to try, maybe fail?

The voice from below says: “Look to the right”,
I reach and grab a far hold.
Propelling free from my previous plight,
Good advice is more precious than gold.

It’s romantic to view the world as a wall,
Scaled heroically by pure self-esteem.
But in complex endeavors you’re certain to fall,
Without the support of a team.

© Copyright 2011 Yaacov Apelbaum All Rights Reserved.