The Avalanche - Both Audio and Text

Everything went silent as I turned to break the news. Glancing ‘round I found a desperate look on every face, And when I tapped the microphone to check that it was on, It almost seemed as though I stood alone inside the place. Even I was unprepared for what had just transpired, Though I’d been handling avalanche disasters now for years. But nothing of this magnitude had fallen on my watch, And as they stood there staring at me - most suppressing tears - I began by saying, “Folks…the avalanche was bad, And I’m afraid the number lost is apt to be quite high. Signals from transponders should enable us to find Roughly where, beneath the massive slide, the victims lie. “Every seasoned climber understands the risk he takes, And every leader wisely made his “fifteen minutes” calls - Telling us - four times an hour - precisely where they were. But when, of course, a couple million tons of powder falls, “Rarely, as I’m sure you know, does anyone survive. But though it’s dark, the search goes on. The morning light will tell. So lets all hope and pray that, as the avalanche approached, Some, at least, had time to find a refuge as it fell. “Rescue teams are doing all they can, and will not stop. The searching will continue until every climber’s found. I will keep you posted on developments each hour, And pray, with you, that each and every one is safe and sound.” Sweeping o’er the faces in the very anxious crowd, All I saw were looks of disbelief, and weeping eyes. Most began to reconcile with what one needs to do As all else loses meaning when a cherished loved one dies. It broke my heart to hear them all preparing for the worst. But, that was only practical…and I’d have done the same. Then suddenly, my beeper beeped, and as I took the call, The crowd went deathly quiet when I queried, “What’s his name?” They swarmed around me frenziedly, pleading with their eyes, Each appealing desperately to hear what they preferred. Every anxious heart was beating wildly - even mine, Impatiently awaiting that anticipated word. Obviously dejected, “Oh, I see,” I calmly said. “Well, let us know his name once he is conscious,” I went on. Then scanning ‘cross the disconcerted souls within the throng - And understanding now the threat that all had died was gone - I proudly said, “Good news…the first survivor has been found. Pinned beneath a lengthy ledge of rock - high on the wall. He also said he thinks the group was tethered at the time, So many more will likely be close by him…if not all!” Suddenly the hall was filled with cheers and hugs of joy. And fifteen minutes later, when the next report came in, The look upon my face explained the news was very good, And as I filled them in, the cheering started once again. “All the men were tethered, and - by following the rope - Each is now accounted for, and all are still alive! Some are badly injured, but a priest will not be needed. The rocky ledge they hid behind allowed them to survive!” Now that I’m retired, and have moved to Indiana, I miss the cool, dry weather we enjoyed in Idaho, But, to this day, I’ll never understand the fascination For fools who risk their very lives to scale those walls of snow. (1991) PS: I've now got 4 new CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied poems), listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - should those of you who travel care to be so entertained. (We use PayPal) Cheers, Mark