Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

* Mount Everest is the tallest peak in the world, but the SECOND tallest, K2, is far more treacherous, primarily because of the winds and weather changes. This is for all those who have given their lives in pursuit of its summit ... and all those who dream of a romantic end. *

Last Sun, K2

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     Is that the sun ...

Or an eye of the devil??
          Blood red and squinting, hard ...
               It's the sun, I can tell now,
     A long cloud crimping its upper edge,

Horizon cutting the bottom.
          But the devil it might as well be,
               Come for his last laugh ...
     Come to watch me suck my last, icy breath,

And wink his victory into the eventide.
          But here's the trick ...
               I'm not done - not yet.
     Oh, I haven't long, that's true ...

K2 has broken my body,
          And my life slowly seeps away ...
               Out, onto the chaste white of this mountain.
     But neither day nor devil will laugh last!

I will breathe on into the night,
          And give my spirit up to the moon ...
               That pale companion that has seen me through,
     That has painted romance and joy and peace on my existence,

And watched over me since childhood,
          When it promised me its allegiance and love.
               Yes, it is only the moon that will claim this weary spirit, mine,
     Not the cold or the wind or the devil-eyed sun ...

Or this brutal and beautiful peak.






~ 2nd Place ~  in the "Strand Select E Any Form Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

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Brenda Chiri February 6, 2020 at 3:56 PM Gregory congrat once again on your win!;)

Mark Toney January 10, 2019 at 9:08 PM Greg, I love this because it captures the spirit of the true mountaineer, who climbs on his own terms and even meets death on his own terms, while still respecting the mountain. Thanks for suggesting I read it. Awesome write! ~Mark Gregory Richard Barden March 9, 2019 at 2:59 AM I'm really happy you enjoyed this one, Mark - I had an idea you might ... thank you for taking the time, and for the kind words! :-)

John Hamilton February 12, 2018 at 12:31 PM I think there was a movie called K2, definitely the hardest climb in the world. The closest I ever got was a view of Cotopaxi as I lived 10kms from it's cone, I drove my Vespa to Chimborazo, and passed by Acongagua both by bus and by plane, felt like I could touch it before landing in La Paz, mountains fascinate me but alas no more with my health. Loved the freshness and vitality of this write! Gregory Richard Barden February 13, 2018 at 6:26 AM That is really awesome, John! I have climbed some mountains here in Maine and Mt Washington in New Hampshire, (that was a tough one), but I dream of much larger challenges, (which I'll probably not get to do). Blessings, my friend - I hope someday we can share stories and make some music! :-)