"Longs", (August 22nd, 2013).
Longs, I knew one day that I would stand upon your lofty peak,
Longs, I dreamt that once upon your top I would climb up into the clouds on ropes hanging from heaven,
Longs, I obsessed that you were majestic and beautiful, but also harsh and uncompromising,
Longs, I desired for a over a year to make it to your top.
Longs, you were the most physically exhausting feat of human endurance in my life,
Longs, you were one of the most mentally challenging obstacles I've had to overcome,
Longs, you threw rocks down at me; but I persevered.
Longs, you buried me with hail, and you hid me from the trees ( in the fog); but I prevailed.
Longs, I found my way in the dark through the trees by the light of the moon,
Longs, I followed the signs you left me to your crumbling back,
Longs, I walked across the boulders rolling down your side,
Longs, I made my way by sunrise up through your keyhole,
Longs, I walked upon your backbone and stared two thousand feet down your side,
Longs, I climbed hundreds of feet upon your fragmented face,
Longs, I stared down to your feet below,
Longs, I feared that I might meet the many that you had taken along the way,
Longs, I knew that you were a dangerous foe!
Longs, I counted the number of missed steps that I made, (few)
Longs, I stood upon your top for but a few short moments in the clouds,
Longs, you were my enemy,
Longs, you were my greatest challenge,
Longs, you are a mighty mountain,
Longs, you were my Everest!
Longs, you were worth climbing once in my life just to learn my own weaknesses and strengths.
Longs, your views were splendid, and despite your menacing disposition, you were gratifying.
- Nick Whittemore (August 27th, 2013)
