A climbing guide for women.
Find yourself a mountain
that no woman has climbed before,
a worthwhile mountain, not too high
but high enough to matter.
There must be grassy slopes and shady woodland,
tall trees to whisper encouragement
because there is little excitement and few rewards
during the long, hard walk-in
There will be streams to cross,
perhaps with stones set out
like rungs on a ladder, even a bridge
but that could be seen as cheating.
Then you reach the exciting bit,
the rocks and crags and boulder fields.
Your efforts are rewarded with the view
and cool water to sooth the weary
before the final push for the top,
where the competition is fierce,
the environment hostile and
the smallest mistake can be fatal.
Please don't turn round now
to look at the comfort on the valley floor.
Ignore the fallen along the route and climb,
climb on because now you climb for us all.
Marianne Whiting