IN

trefology

one should not feel compelled to climb a mountain

simply because it is there.

We ask, What if mountains are not there?

Certainly,

this would not be the first illusion

I’ve encountered that got me winded.

Maybe these so-called ‘mountains’

are really just phantasms created

by our unconsciousness,

that climbers sometimes

fall off of.

*

Part 2: What Price Abs?

*

In my family we have a story,

how, after my birth,

my father climbed Raymond Mountain,

and upon reaching the top

lifted my newly born self

high into the sky,

and in a strong, proud voice, said, “One!”

Then he lowered me back down,

but then quickly lifted me back up again.

“Two!” Said my father.