6000 Steps

6000 steps
for you my love
the one who put a spell on me
of which I never wished to wake
because my heart loved only thee

6000 steps
for you my heart
amidst the heavens
we would live
away from eyes that could not see
the love that you bestowed on me

6000 steps
for you my soul
the one whose smile
has shined my life
throughout the years
with love and laughter
of which i sought forever after

6000 steps
for you my life
inside a cave
that sheltered us
not knowing well
what was in store -
but knowing well
our love would soar

6000 steps
for you my love,
my life,
my heart,
my very soul -
I've left you now
was not my wish,
but know that though my body's gone
my spirit lingers in the mist
climbing each day 6000 steps
towards the heart that bewitched me.

Over 50 years ago in China, a 19 year old young man fell in love with a 29 year old widower. At the time, this was considered unacceptable and immoral. To escape the language and looks of criticism and judgment, the couple eloped and moved far away from hearts that did not understand into a cave up in the mountains. They struggled much in that first year with no electricity or food, resorting to eating grass and roots found in the area to survive. The second year, the husband, Liu, began to carve steps on the side of the mountain for his wife so that she could have the convenience of getting up and down the mountain easily. It was an act of love that took him 50+ years to carve. At the age of 72, Liu passed away in his wife's arms. The wife, Xu, was inconsolable. In 2006, their love story became one of the top 10 love stories in China and the ladder has been preserved as a testament to their love. You can access the complete story here.