descent

On the way down,

the mountain grows taller behind me.

Perspective is a trickster like that.

I feel lighter, though

nothing in my pack has changed.

Only the weight of my thoughts has shifted.

At the trailhead,

I turn once more to

the looming shape above me.

The mountain says nothing.

And somehow,

that is enough.

.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Quite an achievement to reach the summit and then make a descent. Reminded me of Mallory and Irving who lost their lives on Everest. We will never know whether they did reach the top and died on the way down. Everest is silent about that. How huge the mountain is in comparison to the mountaineer. I wandered in your words Freds.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Thanks so much, Chris. So many mountains in our lifetime. 🙏🏻🕊️
Freds

[Lorry]

I remember that feeling of descent so well, while I automatically had to stop typing to rub my leg for a phantom pain of yesteryear.
I remember that feeling of being a foot taller and a dozen or so pounds lighter too, where lungs were working to their maximun capacity and the background thought in my mind was a warming cup of coffee with a celebratory nip of brandy to take away the chill.
Strangely though it also took me back to childhood, where if you put your thumb up to block out the mountains view, you could pretend you were a giant, either jolly green or Hulk green! 😀
I used to put the clarity of thought down to altitude, but if that was the case I must now be living under the sea, in the muddiest waters of my mind.
Thanks for the reminder of youth and exubarr...exoobir....I mean health! 😀

[redd Brick Keshner]

The exuberance and whoosh of green oxygen-rich air! The adrenaline and dopamine and joie de vivre rolled into one breath! We were giants, then🕊️🙏🏻

[Thomas W Case]

This one lands quiet but hard. I like the way the mountain looms and shuts up—the silence carries more weight than any line could. Honest, patient, with a subtle punch.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Yes! Indeed, Thomas; we didn’t grow physically in stature but we rise like giants in the midst of gargantuans- weightier and with so much more presence. So appreciative of you and your valued thoughts/words🕊️🙏🏻

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the mountain conquered it silently nods in defeat...a congratulatory silence.
j.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Victory, at times, is in the mind’s reckoning, combined with unmistakable gut feel. Thanks, j🙏🏻🕊️
Freds.