The Silence of the Summit (I.P.)

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Sun, 21 Feb 2010
  • 2887 reads
15 comments
 

Darkness falls and I am cold;
limbs – stiffening, hope – fading.
In my alpine-rated bag, close my ears
to the marmots’ piercing lullaby;
often wondered where Whistler
Mountain got its name.

‘Neath my canopy of stars, I pick out
Orion, The Plough; amazing things –
stars. So too, the satellite constellation;
much like dot to dot technology.
I shall call everyone I know – tell
them of the slide this afternoon...

How I’d seen Sockeye Salmon spawn
at Gates Creek; saw a Bald Head Eagle
glide the skies at the Squamish Estuary,
a Trumpeter Swan that skated – having
just crash-landed on the ice.

Avalanche risk was high; only,
I’ve always courted danger
and where danger is, so is fate,
hand in hand with eventuality.
And here I lie, broken, but
most of all, elated.

James Joyce comes to mind.
“He had doubled the cape
a few odd times...weathered
a monsoon...and through all
those perils of the deep – one
thing, he declared...a pious
medal he had that saved him.”

‘Why do I climb mountains?’
they ask. ‘Why do birds fly
and salmon swim upstream?’
is my reply. Yes, I will talk...
till my batteries run dry and
the satellite bids, ‘Good night’.
Then, I shall sleep.

Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
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Comments

Submitted by kheldar on
Beautiful Tina, and a great take on this weeks IP. There is a sad inevitability about this but also a touching sense of acceptance. The emotion is so subtle and yet so strong. Love it. David xx :--)

cool

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
David, thank you. I have learned so much whilst researching for this poem, which, in itself, makes it worthwhile. The fact that you enjoyed it means much. Tina;-)xx

 

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
'Neath my canopy of stars, I pick out Orion, The Plough; amazing things – stars. So too, the satellite constellation; much like dot to dot technology.' - love these lines, Tina! And all the nature details really made this poem for me. It's a real thought-provoker and well worthy of a cherry ;) Well done! Magic xxx

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
I guess this one had your name on it, Magic;-) Glad you enjoyed and many thanks for telling me. Tina xxx

 

Submitted by shoe on
Beautiful and original, love the details which make it both real and magical, more than deserving of a cherry.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Shirley - so glad you liked this one. For me it was more than worthwhile to write. I found out so much about Canada and indeed the writings of James Joyce. (Studied Ulysses, once, but forgot it all) One of the wonderful things about writing, I guess, is that it expands one's general knowledge, and mine could surely do with expanding;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Beeme on
This is a very beautiful, orignal, thought provoking poem :-) 'Avalanche risk was high; only, I’ve always courted danger and where danger is, so is fate, hand in hand with eventuality. And here I lie, broken, but most of all, elated.' '‘Why do I climb mountains?’ they ask. ‘Why do birds fly and salmon swim upstream?’ is my reply. Yes, I will talk... till my batteries run dry and the satellite bids, ‘Good night’. Then, I shall sleep.' These stanza's were amazing for me, I really really enjoyed. Beeme XX

k.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
You picked my favourite stanzas too, Beeme. Much appreciate your enthusiasm on this one because of all the poems I've written I think this one was the most satisfying, simply because I learned so much in its writing. Tina xx

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new silver-spun-sand well deserved cherry! again.IP The intricate word's and images so clear and divine.To the marmots piercing lullaby! Stanza Why do I climb mountains?' they ask, 'why do birds fly and salmon swim upstream?' is my reply.Yes, I will talk... till my batteries run dry and the satelite bids,'Goodnight.' Then, I shall sleep. Beautiful. julie x

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Julie - Thank you very much. As I said before, I missed you;-) Tina xx

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
Tina,Thanks missed you too, been busy, didn't go as planned,Ray wasn't well four days bug going round.Had to go to something. Started of well cherry!Then a call,see if going. Then another was pestering me all the two weeks.Awful.can't say more yet. Tell you later.My mum d used sing, after I couldn't ever visit Southwold, wherever, I'd have be with mine,I will visit the plaque,and put Roses there. Miss what ever age.Daughter treating me see Abba on mother's day. j x

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Just...thank you Julie. Roses were her. Tina xx + 1 from Andrea.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi there, Nathan. The only mountain I have ever climbed was back in the seventies when I was on holiday in Scotland and hubbie and I climbed Ben Lomond. It was a boiling hot day and we actually sunbathed on its summit, looking down and around at all the snow-covered peaks. It was quite amazing. Strangely enough, we found the descent harder than the climb. Glad you liked this one and thanks for letting me know. Tina xox

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Silver-spun-sand Got glamour cards and guess what? Bought back dated picture post card books,and what's in there?picture of "Cotswold." but,don't know where it is though. Just done note to you,comment pressed wrong key,vanished. Bad time.Him,getting impos.; what a story, I could write if only.officially Irresponsible personality,never sticks up anything wrong,serious,having break for while.And harrassed someone 3 weeks,re;talent night,me from previous groups was.and I know very well. chats on phone them.Doesn't know.Like I do. must go for now.keep warm.years of him,antics.Personality?having break.cos;comp;his in same room,difficult,concentrate. j x

Submitted by Cavalcader on
New Silver-spun-sand Hope your well.I had no hat,no one recognises me in it fur one."Cotswolds Villages advertising holidays,strange twice. March hare isn't it,Ive' gone bit mad,while out had good throw out,bought cheap new wed; ring,the old one barrel shaped and dug in finger's when shopping. But mentally pleased doing that, I turned out angel pictures he got fete cheap,gave for charity make money.for people outings. And few breakages.on purpose,bin it,statues,all dusty,taken all space up his snooker ones he won.He has no time always,to go out with me oh!and he blocked my 2 oscars plastic ones from day centre,given by hosts 2 years Like to say special -Thankyou to all of you,and Editor t.Cook Tony,Abctales as I read out' "Green Eyes" poem at talent,night was Saturday feb;20th.2010. Last years poem when I started roughly in may.One of the judges remarked how good it was better recited and not read,did I do it etc; yes last year.I think mentioned Abctales.Readings now on here 530.***wow.talkative Cat'. My goodness! neighbour's cat.Mike! wouldn't come of stand talk with them. Sorry I had hearing aid.Liked what I wore. And beautiful voice, said.But track to "Memories" to loud after 1st.Try just for height and sound. turned down as asked .But when performed it was so loud missed intro;till later caught up.Plus chest pains,and person knew hounded me month.Snubbed me, that's life some friend's.Not finished 9pm as know ! all said ?started nearer 10pm.Hence leaving apart little dance 12 mid-night.One judges came and she danced bit with me.Snubbed by friend of years and pestered all time, on phone. Thankyou. Made notice on door, bedroom no arguing,no swearing this is quiet room,no running away for him,stuck all stickers cats and butterflies on.Close now .Got 18th Abctale Issue very good of all. julie xx