A Hikers Prayer

“Here’s a poem I wrote on a recent adventure hiking in the Dolomites - I was at about mile 17 when I was met with a 1000m climb and was grateful for some rhymes coming into my head to take my mind off the pain! Thankfully, the view was worth it!”

— Ben, Medical Student

Dear God I wonder why oh why,

you made this mountain quite so high

My little legs though strong they are

cannot carry me that far

My feet are moving far too slow,

My calves gave up 3 miles ago

And I know you think of us as sheep

But only they could climb this steep

I’m told reliably by my knees

that the angle’s 89 degrees

Any more and the softest blow

Would tilt me back and down I’d go

My left leg's allied with my right -

I swear they’re putting up a fight

To see which one can put a stamp

On who can build the hardest cramp

What makes it worse is on a bluff

Sits a smug faced alpine chough

Taunting me with great delight

He sqwauks and chirps til he takes flight

And watches as my failing thighs

pay tribute to my slow demise

Meanwhile on earth my body craves

A wheelchair or early grave

My heart is beating in my ears

my lungs sound like they’ve smoked for years

My ankle's swollen, shins are bruised,

Knees locked out and hips are fused

I’m tripping over roots and ruts

We’ve just run out of cashew nuts

And every time we reach a bend

I think my torments at an end

But sure enough four more appear

So I grit my teeth and shed a tear

Though as I try, my cheeks not wet

For all my fluids gone in sweat

And as the chafing down below

Assumes a rather rash-raw glow

Each time I step I can but yelp

Not even Vaseline can help

So loving God as you can see

This hikes not what I thought it’d be

I know that labour, toil and strife

Are somehow tests and part of life

But if you hear this desperate plea

Then please look favourably down on me

I know I ask for many things

But please, dear God, just give me wings!