Summit
intimidating serrated crest
emulates Ansel's view
challenges down-clad one
to climb her stretch-marked belly
a gaze upward
at silver glazed wall
the glacial rock face
mirrors reflection
filigree flakes
dissolve on the tongue
boot prints sink
crackle the earth
snow-white evergreens
sovereigns at treeline
bark shushing commands
silencing animals
knurled branches
dangle icicle prisms
sun-spotted glister
blinds vision of peril
jagged shards cleave
ragged gashes rake skin
rocks amass between boulders
force grueling detours
precarious pitons
frostbitten feet
belay icy sheer
as senseless hands fail
halo-lit cloud's
enveloping haze
shadows fickle crevasses
that repel gaffs
clawed to the summit
stand exhausted
raise stiffened arms
roar echo of triumph
Copyright © Vicki Copp | Year Posted 2020
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