dwarf

∴ through desert scrub and stone
two hikers stride, one towering, one lesser so
one with a 16L pack, light and lean
the other gigantorific
2 gallons of water an’a
full course meal on his back

through switchbacks, they speed
their journey begun
it becomes a race
never heard the starting gun

footfalls echo
rhythm steady n qwk
one moves “twelve” strides
dwarfed by others’s 1

now scrambling
Siphon Draw’s steep rise
boulders guard, nod to their pace
hand over foot move with blur
and foot over hand
it happened so fast

scrapes become temporary badges
ascending higher still a daunting rise
just a leap, a dash, and a slight stumble to go

now Atop the iron summit, they stand side by side
in silent awe of the desert’s view open wide ∴