how do you go from being a natural wonder
to a dying breed
to a lost culture?

how do you get from the top of the world
to skipping stones
to Death Valley?

how do you heal from a pinprick
turned heartache
turned fatal wound?

you wash the dirty linens.
you hang them to dry.
you leave the sun to bleach it. make it crisp.
you start anew and hope this time you won't have to suffer to get your prize.

this is adverse.
i am ready.