Sisyphus Reborn

The strain makes the arm tremble
The sweat pours down the skin
Teeth gritted, eyes squeezed shut
Pain forced backward in the head
One foot in front of the other
Force up from the knees
The hands are firm upon the bolder
Slowly pushing it one inch further

Closer to the summit
The agony immense
So close this time, so close
Pushing through the pain
Another step is forced
Another inch is gained
The boulder's weight is massive
Every muscle cries for mercy
Pressing on, just a bit further

Rocks underfoot
Stumbling, but still standing
Boulder still in place
Keep pushing, pushing, pushing
Almost there
This time there will be success
To the top, the battle over
Chanting the mantra
So desperate to have it done

Nearly blacking out from the effort
From the strain
Sweat stinging the eyes
Blinding and painful
A hand leaves the boulder to wipe them away...

The boulder leans back
The other hand can't hold!

Quickly the second hand returns
But too late
The boulder crashes down back to earth

Climb down and go again
And again, and again, and again
Sisyphus reborn...