the exploration of your bitterness

i'm sticking the velcro of my clap-ons
to the tops of my feet,
pulling down my goggles
from my round and grey helmet,
and juggling with one hand
my ice-ax
to climb the electric blue
of these frozen waterfalls.

my face is lifting up,
lighting up,
and there's a small grin
exposing white teeth
against my already dirt covered face
from the burning coals of battles
long since burning from
several nights
of anger, sadness, or longing.

i'm marching ahead,
equipped like a patagonia ad,
eyes with the focus of a bird
of prey,
but instead of wings,
each externality
has the edge
of an ax or metal tooth.

so now i'm ready
to rappel into the crevices between us,
dig my modern spears into your thoughts insulated with ice,
and chimney in the air separating our bodies.
my headlamp brings a yellow stream of light
wherever my neck turns;
its stream is illuminating the jungle of contoured, dripping rock
as i begin this exploration of your bitterness.

DLS