Resilience is said to belong to the higher altitudes:

some say the lack of oxygen:

Others the inhumane cold:

Perhaps the unfeeling blizzards;

Or maybe the rarefied air:

all that is said to strengthen one.

Although those who know:

They know all it does is

extend the weakening process :

it’s true once summited

the trauma shouldn’t kill you :

but the descent can:

you think you're stronger afterwards.

but all you’ve done is master this:

how to die more slowly,

yet more alive and aware:

more certain than you were before,

living life anew after everyone else has passed.

The path you’ve hewn however:

the ropes strained and strung:

the pitons hammered in;

That afterwards always ever remains.