Driven

Written after seeing a photograph of George Mallory's childhood home, (British explorer and mountaineer 1886 - 1924), where his love of heights commenced.

tall turrets tower
towards sky's ceiling
on a sunlit morning
where a neck stretches
with ambition

a route map for a
reckless small boy
as he ascends
climbing his potential
a dream for heights

he finds footholds
in red brickwork
honing his skills
imposed on Victorian
splendour where he dares
to scale upwards
and outwards

on to a sloping roof
of his family home
lithe limbs move
sans fear
as young Mallory
peaks then descends
time and again

paving the way
for days ahead when
Everest loomed large
inviting possibilities
of both glory
and death

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The mountain climbers are an incurable breed of thrill seeker. I've climbed a few mountains myself but not that sort. And I have scaled ravines of solid rock that a fall most certainly would have meant death . BUT...it was because I was fishing or swimming in the waters below. I also used to enjoy hiking out in nature (my legs won't support me anymore) but at that height eagles and hawks soar by mere feet away and I could see miles of breathtaking scenery. Mine wasn't the thrill of the climb or to conquer the mountain but just to enjoy the riches nature offered there. I wouldn't want to climb the barren Rockies or Everest, nothing there but snow and rock and ice. And the air is too thin to breathe at the edge of heaven. I understand a little of why men do it. It just never held any personal appeal for me. I enjoyed your poem about this mountain climber and explorer. I've been a resident of the Appalachians most of my life so I have enjoyed mountains as well in the oldest range in the world. But I'll leave the taller peaks to the thrill seekers. Great read.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for that wonderful share Fabian. I prefer to look at mountains. I have a terrible fear of heights, but an admiration for those with a pioneering spirit. Have a good week-end.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

You too, dear poet. F.

[Re-Pete]

a tall read with a do-or-die ending. you sure know how to scale peaks of verse. never disappointed.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pete, thank you so much for appreciating this poem. Mallory has always been one of my heroes. I have written others about him. Happy Easter.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

I find it amazing that people want to climb to such heights. I’m afraid of heights or well more of falling from them. I love watching skydirivers and people climb but I myself do not enjoy it. It’s a thrill I’m sure for the one doing it and probably has that freedom feel as well that we get from doing thrill seeking things.

[Chris Shaw]

I too am afraid of heights. Hard to believe such a small boy started his ascent so young, and then went on to tackle Everest. Many thanks PB. Just returned from holiday, have some catching up to do. Happy Easter to you.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

Happy Easter to you as well. I hope you enjoyed your holiday

[Chris Shaw]

I did thank you. It was lovely to have three of our grandchildren included in our holiday. Lots of fun:)

[Poetic Beauty]

Being with family can be exactly what we need

[Thomas W Case]

Brilliant work Chris. Very well crafted.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Thomas. All good wishes.

Chris

[Stuart Munro]

Amazing poetry , wish I could write that good. I’m primary school , lol 😂

[Chris Shaw]

Aw, you are far too kind Stuart, but I like you lol. Thank you.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Some of us. We need a good death dear Chris.
"paving the way
for days ahead when
Everest loomed large
inviting possibilities
of both glory
and death"
I loved and I understood the above lines. I do believe in some people nature. We need glory and a good death. Thank you my dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry. I am retired now. I am rewriting my old stories. I have one left. 160 page book written on a word processor in 1992. 1000 words per page. I need to figure how to edit.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Coyote for your thoughts. I wish you a very happy retirement rewriting your stories. You sound as though you are going to be very busy and happy my friend, doing what you love. All the very best to you.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Chris.

[Andrew John]

Death so often goes with glory, Chris. Interesting poem. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. You are so right. They often go hand in hand. I appreciate your visit.

read moreThank you Andrew. You are so right. They often go hand in hand. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

A well crafted piece on the mountaineer
with nice expression and descriptives
I'm not too keen on heights I get dizzy
like James Steward in Vertigo..
..i like lower levels, I can always look
skyward.when needed..lovly poem Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Fran. I don't like heights either. Pleased you enjoyed this poem. All the best.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - I have to admit that I've always been afraid of heights even though as a baby I climbed out onto the roof that was over my grandmother's third-floor apartment in Atlantic City, taking my crib toys out so I could throw them down at the people walking on the street below.
My most exciting was the time I was in Maui, Hawaii. We were at the top of Haleakala, a dormant volcano there. Getting up very early, you are taken to the top for a bike ride to the bottom of the mountain.
Before you begin you can see across the entire island. The view is spectacular.. you are looking across the island and watching planes take off from the airport, far below. At the same time, you can see people windsurfing and surfboarding.
The bikes are equipped with high power breaks since it is a steep and fast descent, but also very exciting.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave for your lovely share. You were certainly adventurous as a young child. I don't like heights myself, but do admire the spectacular scenery of mountains and those who have the ambition to climb them. I wouldn't dare venture there myself. All best wishes.

Chris

[John]

I think the poem is exceptionally crafted, with each short line like a small secure foothold for the intrepid climber/reader to find. The tension is maintained from the opening, which sets up the target, to the ambiguous ending, which recognises Mallory's achievement but recalls the recklessness cited earlier in the poem
When it comes to great ambition, an Everest will always loom large.

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your thoughtful and encouraging review John. Thank you so much for your visit.

Chris

[Katrina Mckeown]

Dear Chris my daughter and her friends used to climb mountains or perhaps large hills here in Scotland called the Munro’s my daughter has always enjoyed a challenge.
I enjoyed reading this and always love your detail and imagery.
Katrina

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your share and your thoughts Katrina. I love looking at mountains, not brave enough to climb them though :)

Chris