We can only put
One foot in front 
Of the other
That’s all we can do
Until we stop
Breathless
To take in the view

Glacial mountain range
Put all on display 
All her best petals
Foliage, seeds and fruit
Revealed to me
Native orchid colony
Applauds our ascent
And safe return

Joy and wonder exceeds
Pinch in my knees
Offspring bound uphill
Leaving me as the only
Breath that I hear
Eyes cloud over
Thoughts of one
This path does treat
In quilt of snow
A patchwork of memory 
From few photos

She keeps me at arms reach
This gondwanan sanctuary 
I can neither see her
Up close - the tarns
Just one rocky outcrop
Too far
Maybe in autumn we'll meet
She is most popular

Admire liquid pools
Of ancient history
Sun's spotlight 
Puts on a show
She is made for this
Alpine bloodline
My blood runs red 
As the waratahs
Swaying on adrenalin
Dizzying heights

A bird's nest meets me
In my loneliness
Overcast sky blinds
What parrots were they?
Left with my thoughts 
Never really alone
Another mountain
I've climbed