As the trail steepens
the breeze whistles,
the branches creak…
then the leaves rustle.

Suddenly the birds sing
I even heard crickets chirping
I think from behind the bushes
I heard a hissing.

I could really hear
my heart pounding…
my joints cracking…
my muscles popping…

So I decided to rest
then the huffs
the puffs…
Stopped.