The way to Base Camp

Wilfred Noyce
1917-1962
Breathless
(written at 21,000ft on 23 May 1953)

Heart aches,
lungs pant
dry air
sorry, scant.
Legs lift -
why at all?
Loose drift, heavy fall.
Prod the snow
easiest way;
a flat step
is holiday.
Look up,
far stone
many miles
far, alone.
Grind breath
Once more then on;
Don't look up
till journey's done.
Must look up,
glasses dim.
Wrench of hand, faltering limb
Pause one step,
breath swings back;
swallow once,
throat gone slack.
Go on
to far stone;
don't look up,
count steps done.
One step,
one heart-beat,
stone no nearer
dragging feet.
heart aches,
lungs pant
dry air
sorry, scant.