I Caught My Breath

I caught my breath
before the last 
few steep steps 
that would take me to
the top of the world
it wasn't a mountain top
but a desert mesa top 
that overlooked a valley
and below a river 
that now looked like 
a silver ribbon 
that seemed to be 
following the setting sun
and there I turned
and began my hike down
to save the table 
for another day
when I hoped 
I'd be ready 
for just
that moment.