Alone in the company of ice and rock
Walking among mute and ancient companions
Elements that have roamed the Earth before life itself
Long before weary men left their footprints in the snow
Long before frantic men created the gods who then created the elements

Walking deeper into the cold shadow of the mountain’s crooked peak
A fragile tranquility settles beneath frozen feet
As the distant boom of ice cracking and falling and shattering against cliffs shakes the sky

This is a delicate peace, unearthed and solidified in frigid solitude
Far away from the ceaseless posturing of frenzied egos
Far away from compassion and empathy left inert and powerless
Far away from men made mad by other mad men

The feet turn numb and black as the cold chews away at once-pink flesh
The feet turn north to be enveloped by this profound and lonely serenity
To be slowly embraced by these ancient and steadfast companions
To be forever alone in the company of ice and rock

Photograph and Prose copyright Mike Yost 2016