Climbing the 18 Steps in Chongqing

​I walked up the 18 steps in Chongqing today.
The air was thick with humidity, the sun hidden by smog.
Each step felt like a mountain, my legs burning.
At the top, I paused to catch my breath.
Looking out over the sprawling city of millions.
Gleaming skyscrapers and ramshackle houses.
All stacked and jumbled together.
Life goes on here, step by step.
Day by day, we climb our own 18 steps.
That's just the way it is.