Jan 2019
I lost you to the mountain, to the longing in your heart
My mortal charms could never hold you here
I lost you to the dream, to compete I could not start
All I have is empty arms and nights of chilling fear
I lost you to the mountain, because it’s there you said
And I am here, but lay discarded in an empty bed
They say you never made it, they say you disappeared
You had to make it to the top or what was this all for?
You wanted it so very much and it’s the thing I feared
They say you’re never coming back, I wonder if they’re sure
A dream to stand upon the highest peak
To not see, not hold, not be there, not speak
I lost you to the mountain a long long time ago
JG 7.4.18
My mortal charms could never hold you here
I lost you to the dream, to compete I could not start
All I have is empty arms and nights of chilling fear
I lost you to the mountain, because it’s there you said
And I am here, but lay discarded in an empty bed
They say you never made it, they say you disappeared
You had to make it to the top or what was this all for?
You wanted it so very much and it’s the thing I feared
They say you’re never coming back, I wonder if they’re sure
A dream to stand upon the highest peak
To not see, not hold, not be there, not speak
I lost you to the mountain a long long time ago
JG 7.4.18
Imagined how George Mallory’s wife would feel during his long expeditions to try conquer Everest when it had still not been summited. After 2 failed attempts he could not resist another attempt in 1924. Photo of wife not in pocket and was going to leave on summit, when his body found in 1999. The question is did he actually reach the summit? The body of Irvine who was making the attempt with him, has not been found as yet. They were last seen on the north ridge not that far from the summit. If Irvine’s body was found, he had the camera so it is possible we would know. This was when equipment and mountaineering clothing were not fit for purpose and expeditions took a very long time.
