Cove

Walking all day
in the frigid cold
not stopping,
for fear of never starting again.
Mother sick,
but walking anyway.
Father barely hanging on
to life, or
what's left of it.
 
Sister crying,
wanting to stop
and build a fire
to warm her hands 
and feet.
Brother saying
how much he misses
our home back east.
There, we had so much
that we don't have
any more.
 
Pulling, and pulling,
never resting,
always pulling.
 
Thinking
about life
about family
Singing
under my breath
Searching
for the strength 
to continue on.
Pulling,
and pulling.
 
Talk of rescue.
Wonderful news that lights
a fire in my heart.
The warmth spreads, it seems,
to my fingers and toes.
A place of refuge
from the wind and snow.
There could be nothing better.
 
Tired and hungry,
we reach the cove.
Fires already burning,
Men take the cart
from my hands,
and help set up our tent.
Life has entered
back into the hearts
of the saints.
We have survived
another day.
We have the strength
and the will
to press on.
 
Whether or not
we reach the valley,
We will give our All
to this Cause
that we Know
to be True.
We will give our All
to the Lord.