Wild Moment: Michael James Parker
"My poem explores my awe at one of my most astonishing days in the mountains." Enjoy this cracking account of tackling the Ring of Steall in midwinter.
Ring of Steall
Minus thirteen in Glen Nevis. A good start. My expectations
as hard and sparkling as the frost. Amazement of breath.
I want my crampons on for the walk in: Narrow path, glazed rock, big drop.
Clink and crunch to the three-wire bridge. The Water of Nevis a silent block.
We cross. And I slip South into hours of space; silence; stillness; delight.
immaculate white laid out beneath untouchable blue; I feel the press,
compacting, holding; eyes make no sense as I focus on breathing, breathing deeply
air so cold and light and penetrating I could draw clear maps of my inside.
A corniced concerto of crystal reflection plays; comes miles North
to crescendo. I step, and my stepping takes two steps, gravity happy
to help; snow and slipping winter sunlight tell me throw
myself down, sack and boots, body warmth and Alpine shell; I could sleep
I could sleep as I slip, I could tumble and all of this yielding could cluster,
take mass, as crown and flank fail, slab, slide, the last of my dreams
would be ancient ocean hardened to rock, sharp air, slice of stream,
image of white whaleback. Something wakes. I hold my ice axe close.
(c) Michael James Parker
- Find out more about Michael James Parker's poems, performances and projects.
- Read about our work looking after Ben and Glen Nevis.
- Inspired to submit your own Wild Moment? Find out how here.
