Forgotten Pains

I struggled climbing up,
Legs and lungs groaning
At the task.
Coming down,
My knees screamed
And then tantrummed,
Refusing to work
The rest of the day.
It’s incredible,
Really,
That what our body protests
Can be a triumvirate of joy—
Past, present, and future:
Pretty memories of snow-capped peaks
And glittering piles of fat crystals;
Genuine smiles along the way
For the pleasure of company
Both human and wild;
Fickle muscles somehow anxious
To repeat the challenge soon,
Complaints already waved off.