Ode to The Master
By Jim Symon
In the days when ice axes were straight things
And a friend was a mate in the pub.
Before routes were held on your iPhone,
When guidebooks were carried in your hood.
When Joe and Don were your heroes
And limbs were all bloodied and scarred,
You climbed on whatever the weather
Even though you knew it was hard.
For these are the days you remember,
For these are the days that we shared,
Of friends enjoying the challenge
Even though, at times, we were scared.
I thank you for sharing your knowledge,
Your wisdom, your courage, your wit
But most of all - carry on Master
And pull me up that sodding hard grit!
