A seemingly innocuous event
occurring at the critical moment
can precipitate an avalanche,
with devastating effect.
Firmly on two feet one minute,
hurtling down a slope the next.
Snowballing out of control -
down, down, down…
Smothered at the end of the fall,
struggling to emerge.
The will to live,
battling with despair.
Then the arduous task
of regaining lost ground.
A laborious ascent
in a weakened state.
The ever-present risk
of slipping back down
urges caution
and a tentative step.
After an unsteady climb
and many backslides,
the summit is regained,
and blue sky and sunshine.
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