the sum of it

we scale the summit
a pale, pale summit
tall and cold
we scale the summit
only to plummet
down, down, down
beneath the ground

we lie and lie
upon impression
depressed detail
from the bottom's vale
what is depression
within a depression
but a becoming obsession?
the summit, the sum of it

inhale, inhale

we scale the summit
a pale, pale summit
worn and old
we scale the summit
only to plummet
down, down, down
back underground

we scale like snails
fast as we can
from where we began
but time catches up
what snail is failing
when still prevailing
to stick to the summit
when it is man who plummets
down, down, down
back underground

exhale, exhale

without a sound?

- Alexander McCurdy