When You've Reached The End

There's a deep exhale
followed by a relief
that the cinder blocks
have been removed from

the tense shoulders, deltoids
going slack for the first
time in weeks.  Neck rolls
shifting head side to side

in a circular motion.  Another
exhale.  This time the air seems
to take worry and stress
with it as it leaves.

There must be breathing in
the middle, but it is the
big sighs that capture the
attention.  The sense of

satisfaction, the job well done,
or at least done.  This is
where the runner reaches the end,
the climber stands at the top

of the mountain, looking
downward from the summit at
terrain just climbed.  Then,
looks out, from the highest

point, with nothing to compare
and wonders, "What will I do now?"