Up the waterfall
by Annie Lamb 2006
Three
things you should know
as we make our way
to the foot of the falls,
all dry today.
First,
we’re not fish
so we need no flow
as up the limestone
ascent we go.
Next,
we’re not monkeys
so it’s a shock
when we ask you to scamper
up sheer rock.
And
third, we’re human
so when you rise
above the valley,
with shining eyes,
when
your blood is up
and the breeze is sweet
and the last false horizon’s
beneath your feet,
you’ll
want to thank me
but instead
you’ll call down some curses
onto my head;
and
we’ll all race home
to hot water and tea
and later you’ll buy
a pint for me.