Ridge

Along this elevation muscles turn to water

and thoughts refuse to muster.

This escarpment is where magnetic rock

makes compases fail the north.

One misplaced step on an outcrop

would take limbs screaming to a fall,

from which would be no recovery.

There is nothing here,

scree close to heaven,

that is extravagant to survival,

so close to casual death.

Each movement and air intake

like a tightrope of life,

far from sullen introspection.

Head and nerves co-ordinate

to bring body to its proper height.