The blood pulses in my face as I hurriedly push the scented pines aside
The evergreen needles pole at my sweltering skin
Every step is worthy of a celebratory dance,
But there is nothing left in me to pull out that hidden energy
I look up to the slowly graying sky, praying for a drop of rain, just one
To relieve me of the stifling sun's rays
The summit is in clear view, inviting me to join in its glory
I begin to trek again, the slippery mud oozing under the pattern of my boots
The elevation is increasing still and my water is scarcely low 
"One more foot", I softly chant to rapidly aching body
And then I open my eyes to find myself at the mountain's edge,
Rapt at the seemingly endless nature, untouched by human hands
And surely to stay that way
For a moment, I forget my aches, so awestruck by the picture lying before me
Everything is illuminated; The sky like ash, the river far below violently rippling
I can smell the fresh aroma of impending rain, but have yet to feel its effects
I instantly throw my pack off with one fell swoop
As the great pressure is lifted off my back, my body droops to the ground without my say-so
Hitting the delicate dirt as it swirls up in a cloud around me
While I look at the sky above, I feel one lone rain drop hit my nose and cool me