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

[Lorry]

Yay. I can finally use my one interesting fact about Everest, and by interesting I mean annoying 😀
You ready? Okay, here it is...
It ain't called Everest and never was...kinda.
Weve all been pronouncing it wrong. It was named after the British counsel to Nepal George Everest, who pronounced it Eeverest.
Hmm, not as interesting as I thought ☹️
I just remembered another Everest fact, but will save that one for the sequel Chris 😀

[Gee]

I think you'll find it is sponsored by a well know double glazing company, which is a better name than the original, Mount Mimisses !!
This name leading to many a unsuspecting wife being violated by complete strangers !!

[Lorry]

Ha! I once climbed, but can only crawl now.

[Chris Shaw]

Lorry, you are full of surprises. So it was named after the British counsel to Nepal, George Everest. I am pretty impressed. You must have looked this up. I am left wondering what your second interesting fact must be. Saving it for the sequel? Well that would have to be a haiku then :) Gee, double glazing eh? A clear view on a clear day :) You two take the biscuit :))

[Lorry]

Na, it was on QI 😀

[John the Baptist]

I think I must lack the pioneering spirit, because I have never had even the mildest urge to climb Mt. Everest. Some time back I read something about the number of climbers who have died trying, and I was astounded. I much prefer your method, to do it in "thought flight."

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. Yes many, many climbers have died in their quest to conquer this mountain's treacherous heights. The geese have this one right, and an imagination helps me to travel.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

I saw a recent news coverage of people lined up, something along the number of hundreds (?) of people waiting to board the ferry on a hugely busy weekend, but these were all lined up to climb Everest, a great line of people all waiting their turn
Crazy
I have never seen anything like it
And I heard later about the deaths resulting from attempts???????
I am not sure where god fits in all this but I think the geese have got that one figured out
Nicely done poem though, with great imagery

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. Yes I also hear and see reports of the numbers wanting to do this. I also hear about the litter left behind afterwards, which I find shocking. I think like you the geese have got this one sorted. Appreciate your visit and pleased you enjoyed the imagery.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear Chris. If I had time, I would attempt.
"closer to God
though not one I comprehend
closer to God
yet not one I pretend to know "
When I was in the army. I stood in the clouds on the mountain road in Honderas. I climbed the fault line in California. Found beautiful hidden waterfalls. Wonderful words shared for one of the most beautiful places in our world.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Coyote and for sharing your own experiences. I think if I had my time again I would also like to climb mountains. Real ones instead of metaphorical ones. Always appreciate your visits.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

some literally try to get too close to God...and suffer the consequences...so trying to climb Everest and subdue Mother Nature...she is not likely to give in too easily...
well some did get closer, just didn't live to tell about it.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Everest, a mountain to die for. So many have in their quest to reach the summit. I think I'd rather be one of those bar headed geese. More chance of surviving. Many thanks Jacob. Mountains aren't for the feint of heart.

Chris

[barleygirl]

I am mildly obsessed with Mt Everest, having read many books about expeditions, etc. What I love about your poem is how you kinda chastise us silly humans for being overly focused on the human conquering aspect with an associated morbidity due to frequent failures, etc. In all things I've read, I never see much interest or care given to the natural wonder & characterstics of the mountain itself. Especially with regard to the locals. Your msg aims to blast us self-absorbed humans from our accepted viewpoints & instead sharing the spirit of the mnt with sparkling details (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

You know Margie, I think we share that obsession. I was given a book when I was 18 called Everest, the West Ridge. The photographs were literally out of this world. I have been fascinated ever since. Thank you for checking this one out. All good wishes.

Chris

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Such beauty! What poet has not dreamed of being able to scale such heights, to fly high in winged oblivion? This just transported me far away, high and higher.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Linda Marie. How wonderful to be one of those bar headed geese. That view certainly was to die for.

Chris