El Capitan

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I soft-swing on the granite face ... Cuddled close to the cooling stone like a spider, Sun slithering into the emerald-studded reach to seal the day. I dig into my hip sack for the last usable piton - There are a few old ones driven into the rock to my left, But corrosion has seen an end to their usefulness. I consider my route carefully from this point on, for it will be unassisted, And ANY surprise means a long fall and quick end when free-climbing. My mind chooses the appropriate slot for the piton ... I align it to my route by the strength and quality of granite, And attach it, securely as possible, deep into the tiny crevice. The late hour and lack of food leave my focus a bit ... confused ... While I'm steadfastly sure of my expertise and strength, Even the smallest errors are deadly, And I barely notice a small, mis-colored cleaving at the anchor spot, My subconscious mind processing it as late-day shadow. Before I'm aware of what's happened, it gives way, The fascia of granite shearing off in a seven-foot section - ONE piton pulled would not create enough momentum to doom me, But the loss of four with the broken section is too much ... My harness breaks, and I tumble ... I instinctively contort into a ball to increase my terminal velocity, For the pain of surviving is too much to consider. I watch the speckled rocks below grow quickly in size ... Oh, I have considered this death a million times, Yet no fear accompanies me now ... I am content, the day as perfect as any, Blessed to leave this earth doing what I love most, Sad, only, that my end ... Will leave such a bloody signature. Written and submitted on September 9, 2019 For the "Ten Word Challenge 1" Poetry Contest Kai Michael Neumann, Sponsor.

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John Hamilton

Date: 9/18/2019 4:48:00 PM

El capitan, isn't that a famous rock formation? New Mexico? Colorado? Any way this is great storytelling, I really don't like risk taking, adrenalin junkies always end up dead. They die doing what they love, but what about their loved ones? To me it's kinda selfish, but I did love this write. Too few views probably the spanish title!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/24/2019 6:04:00 AM

Yes, it's a 3,000 foot rock face in Yosemite National Park - the highest granite face in the world, I believe ... it was recently free-climbed from bottom-to-top and it was filmed ... absolutely crazy. That said, I was myself an adrenaline junky - jumped my bike when young (now called BMX), did freestyle skiing competition, (couldn't get enough air time, lol), sky-dived, raced motocross, all of which ruined my knees. Maybe that was a good thing, or I might not be here. Many thanks, my friend! :o)

Arturo Michael

Date: 9/9/2019 3:17:00 PM

I like your title, "El Capitan" brave beyond the end..Nice write

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/10/2019 8:07:00 AM

Thank you so kind, Arturo, I'm so happy you liked this one ... I have always hoped I would be so gracious when it comes to my last moments, but I rather think I'll be kicking and screaming, and NOT going "gentle into that good night" ... blessings, my friend! :o)