The boulder is heavy,

            But it is the only thing

That ties me to the land.

            I carry it up the mountain

Knowing that I must save something

            For the difficult descent.

 

Young people rush by me,

            Smart phone in hand,

Laden with viral posts

            Of windows shattered

By paving stones

            And burning shops.

 

Near the summit, where

            Sulfur spoils the air

And the going is toughest,

            My now meaningless

Burden is carried off

            By a riotous youth.

 

As I descend to the settlement

            Below, my boulder,

Broken free from entitlement,

            Bounces down the mountain.

I smile, capture the moment,

            And yell, Rock!