My Mt. Hiei

Another day in blizzard,
tortured steps up the mountain,
such pain to face, so many miles
with only this metal
my companion, my temptation
to make the choice
that could end the pain
right here, right now.

Yet, somehow, a vision
of my tree in spring bloom
and another taste
of perfect black cherries
on a summer day
is stronger even than
this lonely torment.

I make no promise, though,
that I will not fail,
tomorrow, halfway through
that same mountain climb.