Wrong Ascension
She does these things not because she can
But because she can’t not
Running always running
Towards the distant star
Refusing to tire
Until peace in her time
Running
Load on the back
Stabbing in the kidneys
Growling in the tall grass behind
Running
Through torrents of water
Must not stumble
Sound of claws on stone
Climbing
Scrambling up scree
Balance almost impossible
Stench of rotten breath
Climbing
Hurdling logs
Tearing through thickets
Malicious grins glinting through undergrowth
Clearing trees reveal the summit
But where now?
No more running
No more climbing
Whites of eyes
How to reach the star?
How to ascend?