Goddess Mother of Earth

(name the people of Nepal give to Everest)

long before corpses
of courageous mountaineers
were consumed by Everest's
magnetic allure

to be tragically
left in death on frozen scree
or buried in deep crevasses

bar headed geese had already
discovered they could salute her
in a fly past at unrivalled heights
admiring her natural beauty
while surviving biting cold

peaks proudly pointing sky high
to Himalayan heavens
modestly swathed in bands of cloud
on days when sun's rays proved
to be elusively shy

i frequently ponder on pioneers
who set out to conquer her summit
to attempt what Mallory
did or did not do depending
on your own understanding
of his sad demise

in thought flight i imagine
i have wings, take to the skies
a magnificent avian view
scaling her face, soaring higher
and higher still

while the ceiling beckons
enticing brilliant blue
sun a blaze of molten gold
behold I'm on top of the world
base camps below
sheets of ice, thick blankets of
blinding diamond snow

closer to God
though not one I comprehend
closer to God
yet not one I pretend to know

Reviews

[Fay Slimm]

You were flying high in the writing of this magnificent tribute to the Goddess Mother of Earth - this mountain has swallowed so many yet she is still a diamond beyond any price and your eloquent lines add to her glory - am seeing those geese saluting as they pass by - such a heart-stopping read Chris - and thanks for the share of your thoughts on scaling her vast icy face.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Fay. I am so pleased you saw the fly past with the bar headed geese, because that was my intention when I started writing and before I included additional thoughts. I am fascinated by that mountain and have been for years since I was given a book called Everest the West Ridge. I appreciate your thoughtful review and visit. Have a lovely week-end.

Chris

[Fay Slimm]

My pleasure dear Chris - those wonderful geese braving such journey despite mountainous cold needed your tribute - - hope your weekend too goes with a swing l ................ x Fay

[Akinlolu]

This piece of yours written 3 years ago reminds me how new I am on writers cafe. Yes, Everest is a majestic goddess but hmm, so cold and unforgiving to those who dare to conquer her height. I'd rather wrap myself under a blanket at home with a cup of coffee while reading exotic tales of those who dare the impossible. I love this piece.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Akinlolu. I am fascinated by those who dare. As for me I have a fear of heights. I will stay at base camp :) Thank you for your review.

Chris

[Akinlolu]

You are welcome

[Lisasview]

Hi Chris,
What a lovely poem to read of yours this morning...as I have been away from Writers Cafe for awhile....
Firs, I have to say that I have never heard of bar-headed geese... a new one for me.
How wonderful that you chose them for your glorious poem... I just loved it...
Away, I have been away because two weeks ago I fell again and broke 3 ribs... Yikes... but my clavicle is better so typing is not quite so difficult.
Lisa, trying to not fall

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lisa, so sorry to hear you have had another fall. Broken ribs now. You really are going through the wars. Thank you so much for the lovely review you left me today. Please take good care.

Chris

[AYVID N]

The poem fills me with the vast wonderment that one feels when in touch with the magnificence of Nature, its dangerous and impossible beauty. How wonderful would it feel to be flying above the summit as the mountain birds...? To feel the Creator as only they can.... There must be something there so alluring to all those brave people who perished while trying to conquer the highest peak. Knowing it could be fatal. Perhaps, they can feel God just as the birds do. Kudos on this masterpiece, dear Chris. You did such wonders with the imagery and the emotional pull. This is such an impressive and moving poem!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear DIVYA , I can remember spending quite sometime on this piece, so I am delighted and encouraged by your generous review.
Yes, closer to our creator. Sadly I have no head for heights, but I do envy this geese doing their flight pass. Thank you my friend.

Chris

[Neville]

a fine and fitting tribute to one helluva rock if ever there was .. and aint those bar headed geese lucky eh :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville, and yes they were. They certainly had a bird’s eye view of that great rock:) Amazing they can fly at such incredible heights. I am rather envious.

Chris

[Neville]

............................ me too :)
Neville

[FGFRANKLIN]

I enjoyed reading this. I've never understood the thrill of climbing to desolate heights. I've hiked a lot of mountain trails but for the scenery and view of looking out over great forests and being up where the eagles play. But no snow and ice for me. For the same reason I didn't care much for The Rockies when I visited. I love my Appalachian home. The Ozarks were nice. But I've no urge to climb to the top of the world...the air so thin, the weather so cold and unpredictable, avalanches and nothing but a sea of white across the Himalayas . It may be pretty on a postcard or in a poem but that's as close as I'd like to venture.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Fabian, many thanks for reviewing this older poem. It was interesting to read your share. I am in awe of the splendour of mountains, but I have no head for heights. I will leave that to the adventurers who often die in their pursuit of their dreams. Hoping all is good in your world.

Chris

[red93]

Marvellous Flight of Fancy Chris and a suitably uplifting subject for your reveries. I equate the Mallory Expedition to someone like Scott of the Antarctic - brave men whose luck ran out at just the wrong time. Excellent Piece ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony, yes Scott of the Antarctic was also an explorer and adventurer. They often die for their passion. It’s a beautiful day. Be sure to enjoy the sunshine and many thanks for your support.

Chris

[Stuart Munro]

Chris , Great Poem Of original interest , mountains look great if your a bird or your in a helicopter
It’s safer , than climbing , or being a frozen corpse , at my school , four house names were explorers
Or Everest climbers , my house was Shackleton , Hilary , was another I can’t remember the other two
As I was about twelve years old
Have a great day

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stuart. This is an old poem out for a breath of fresh air. I like to dust them down every now and then. Yes Mallory has been a sort of hero for years. Yes, climbing is for others. I don’t have a head for heights. Have a great day. Enjoy the sunshine.

Chris

[Stuart Munro]

Hi Chris , I get pen Vertigo , when I’m writing , when I lift my arm , my pen hand gets scared 😦 before it lands on the paper to write 😂 bodily I froze on the Clifton suspension bridge Bristol , once , I had to have help getting off , it seemed it was going to collapse , climbing is for fearless poeple , maim grounded into safer regions ,

[Robert Trakofler]

I will leave those lofty heights to my imagination and the geese LOL oh wait... that's what you just did some bunnies are better at climbing than others me i'm a floppier sort better at falling than climbing:) I enjoy the snapshot of motion you painted in these words Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Bunny. I can only climb in my mind, I think I wouldn't be much good doing the real thing. I think the geese have this one sorted. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Dave]

You too seem so entranced by the beauty of this magnificent mountain. I easily recall, as a child seeing a movie on Hillary's conquest of her. I have imagined what it would be like if I were to make such an attempt. I really liked and enjoyed your description.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Dave. Yes I am fascinated by the history and beauty of this magnificent mountain.read moreMany thank yous Dave. Yes I am fascinated by the history and beauty of this magnificent mountain.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

That final stanza brings the wonder, celebration of this revered mountain into focus as questions are placed about our origins and the high value we put on pioneering and on seeing nature as something 'godly'.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. Your thoughts are always most appreciated. Good to see you.

Chrisread moreThank you John. Your thoughts are always most appreciated. Good to see you.

Chris