Notes About The Poem
For Pick-A -Title , Vol 57 Poetry Contest - Sponsored By Edward Ibeh - Written On 24th May 2026.
Internal Paralysis
John West and Pete Adams had been climbers since their teens
They had travelled the whole wide world chasing their dreams
The Swiss Alps, Everest, K2, the Matterhorn, and Kilimanjaro
There weren't many big mountains missing from their portfolio.
They were now in their sixties and had somewhat slowed down
And now gave climbing lectures in schools travelling town to town
John said " I'm missing the buzz let's do something closer to home
I want to try El Capitan in Yosemite Park, the famous half dome”.
Pete gave a laugh and said “John, I've often thought about that
Smaller than what we're used to but it’s a challenge I'll give it that"
They both agreed that the following Wednesday they'd give it a go
And being midweek, it would be quieter, well they certainly hoped so.
Wednesday soon arrived and both were ready for the big climb
It was just before three in the morning, so they had plenty of time
They parked up the jeep and then double checked all their gear
Both looking forward to the challenge, and confident with no fear
Some climbers take three days to climb and they camp half way
Both agreed the East Buttress route and hoped to complete in a day
They stopped for coffee and snacks about every four hours or so
And admired the stunning views of the Merced River down below.
It was getting late afternoon now and they were just about halfway
They were well on target to complete the climb of El Capitan in a day
Pete scrambled ahead securing the pegs and feeding John the rope
They hadn’t lost any of their climbing skills and were well able to cope.
Pete said "Conditions are really perfect and we're having great luck"
As he turned to look down at John it was then that disaster struck
John was lifeless at the end of the rope and just hanging in the air
Pete saw his eyes were open and moving but with a faraway stare.
Their past climbs had been up then down never just one way before
But their plan was to climb up and then walk down to the valley floor
Below John there were no ropes and so he couldn’t be lowered down
Thankfully Pete had left word about their climb with a buddy in town.
The sun was slowly going down and getting cold; Pete tried his phone
But just as he thought it was a dead spot and now he felt totally alone
John's eyes were still moving and Pete could see that he was still alive
But with the dropping temperatures he wondered if he would survive.
Then he remembered he had the latest iPhone and was able to text
The emergency 911 service and he hoped and prayed for the best
He put in their location and where they were and then an hour went by
Then coming towards him was an S70 Firehawk helicopter in the sky.
It got as close as it could and a crewman winched down the side
He freed John and secured him to a stretcher and stayed alongside
Then the pilot ascended and dropped a rope ladder down for Pete
Who was now feeling the cold and shivering, from his head to his feet.
The pilot rose and then headed for the John C. Fremont critical care
Pete contacted John's wife Sue who said she’d meet them there
The helicopter quickly landed and John was rushed in on a gurney
And all Pete and Sue could do was sit down and just wait patiently.
Two hours later a doctor came to tell them he was critical but alive
Saying "That he'd had massive stroke, and he was lucky to survive
He has suffered internal paralysis and has got a long road ahead"
Pete thanked him then he and Sue walked over the hall to John's bed
He was attached to bleeping monitors, and they prayed he’d pull through
It got to Sue who was crying now because there's nothing, she could do
Pete said "John is a tough fighter but for now we can only hope and pray
And I promise you this Sue, I'll be with you both every step of the way".
It was getting on for nearly three months later that John finally talked
And after six months of intense physio took a few short steps and walked
He said to Pete “Well buddy it looks like that our climbing days are done
But the last forty odd years have been a blast, and we’ve had a great run”.
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