The Mountaineers! Poem by Denis Martindale

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One day, there was an advert in a national newspaper
And it said that a businessman had a special offer,
As he promised to pay the costs of the mountaineering gear
For 100 climbers if they climbed the mountain with him.
Within days, it was a matter of 'challenge accepted',
And once all the mountaineers were ready,
Together, the 100 men followed their leader,
Up, up and up that mountain they stepped,
Together, facing the blizzards that blew.
After some considerable time, his whole team succeeded,
And managed to stand at the top of the mountain,
Thankful for their achievement despite their difficulties.
Then the leader congratulated them all, yet suddenly,
Before their very eyes, they saw him grow wings.
'Good luck with that! ' he said as he flew away,
Leaving them standing bewildered and amazed.
Then the team decided they must climb back down,
But, just as suddenly, everything changed,
Their mountaineering gear disappeared,
And they stood there in their underwear,
Getting colder and colder and colder,
Afraid for their lives, realising the horror of the situation.
Would they survive? Would they live to tell the tale?
And who would believe them anyway?


Denis Martindale. April 2021.