This summer,

when I walked a certain path,

I noticed a tall weed. 

Nothing to impede its growth

it grew and grew.

I decided,

since it’s just a weed,

no one would notice if I stepped on it.

Every day,

every walk

on that certain path

I stepped on the weed.

I certainly never bothered it

because the next time I walked

on that certain path

the weed stood tall again.

The pattern continued.

I stepped on it.

The next time I saw it

the weed stood tall again.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Until the end of summer

when I noticed it leaned

just slightly.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Autumn came

and the slight lean grew.

It no longer bounced back

but stayed closer

and closer

to the ground.

The cooler temperatures drained its color.

Step.

Step.

It barely hovered over the ground.

Step.

Until late autumn,

I saw that

the stem broke

and the weed was no more.

No matter how strong we are

and how often we rise

at some point

some time

we all have a breaking point.

Don’t let anybody

anybody

continually

step

step

step

step

on you

because at some point,

you will no longer rise.

© 2024 ck’s days