ODE TO KILIMANJARO by Joyce Nelson

Listen, my children, and you shall hear

Of the eight-day journey of eight mountaineers

Just everyday folks, not one a hero

But they all shared one dream – climb Kilimanjaro.

Now Garrett and Jess from Syracuse hail

Tried to train in the snow, sleet and hurricane’s gale

It’s a good thing there’s no power on Kili’s route

If there were, with these two, that pow’r soon would be out.

And Kylie’s adventure gene is off the charts

She comes from Down Under and has lived in most parts

She’s brilliant and caring and quite in the know

Except for that weird thing that others call snow.

Australians are known to drink ale, beer and lager

But whoever’d have thought they could hold so much water?

Larissa drank litres and litres each day

Then spent every night peeing it all away.

From West Africa’s desert Namibia

(A word that no poet would dare to rhym-i-bia)

Come our engaged sweethearts, Jules and Ant

Two volunteer workers who’ve never said “can’t”.

From Colorado in the U-S of A

John and I came for our winter get-away

Grandpa and grandma – “Babu” and “Bibi”

Is what Julius called us in his Swahili

Chiropractor, world traveler, endodontist, oh my!

Physiologists, grocery merchant, PhD candidate, and I

Unlikely companions, at least at first glance

But here’s how we formed such a strong alliance:

We bonded right off on that muddy first track

With bottles and backpacks flying off the truck’s rack

Proof once again - it’s never been wrong -

That which does not kill you will just make you strong.

A travelling pharmacy we soon discovered

With Diamox, Advil, and dozens of other

Prescription and over-the-counter drug aids

We cheerfully shared with each other each day

We did everything that the book from the store

Said would help us to acclimate: drink and drink more

Then we found a new way to force air in our lungs

Daily doses of laughter, dispensed by everyone

Still I haven’t a doubt there would be no success

Without our guide Joseph and without Julius

Through high lands and low, sure-footed and strong

We stepped in each footprint that they lead us on

Our meals were joyful and all of that laughter

Helped digest our food, then we lingered long after

To find we are owners of diabetic pets

Of dogs who have shingles and epileptic cats

“Habari!” “Nzuri!” mean, “What’s new?” “All is good!”

The answer to “Mambo” is “Poa” – it’s “cool”

“Acoonamatata”, “Karibu”, and “Ascente”

“All is well”, “welcome”, “thank you” – greeted us every day.

And now it’s day four, time to test our power

Up 600 meters to the Lava Tower

Worldwide the stock markets are all on the rise

Fueled by sudden unexpected ibuprofen highs

Day five no more tower, let’s take on the wall

And do not confuse short with easy, y’all

With Joseph and Julius showing us the ropes

We went up and over like eight mountain goats

The path sure was steep, the mud took its toll

We each gave new meaning to the words “rock ‘n roll”.

One ledge near the top was as thin as a wisp

To cross, it demanded a hug and a kiss

And the porters, oh my! Were our necks meant to hold

40 kilos of honey, coffee, milk and Milo?

Eggs and sausage, toast and porridge, it goes on and on

And that’s just one breakfast for my dear husband John.

All at once it is here, our big summit day

Are we ready, did we train right; is it too late to pray?

In the darkness we set off, with the moon bright and full

And the mountain awaiting aloof, quiet and cool

Finally, yes finally, we all reached the top

Inspired by each other not one of us stopped.

Take our photo, Dear Photo, proof that all of us stood

On the rooftop of Africa, still breathing!  That’s good!

Acclimatization achieved! We brook no defeat

Except when we try to change meters to feet

So it’s back down the mountain, through rocks and through scree

Now we know why God gave everyone a spare knee!

On to Moise-town, gee the time sure went fast

Never thought I’d be saying I wish it could last

Just a day or two more, ‘cause we learned what few know

Time stands still when you’re climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

So what’s to become of this odd but brave troupe?

What’s the crystal ball say lies ahead for the group?

Well a magical man with a magical brew

Helped me take a look forward a decade or two.

Larissa finished med school at the top of her flight

Now she’s birthin’ those babies all day and all night

World renowned in her field, at the top of her trade

Thought she still can’t convert Fahrenheit to Centigrade.

Kylie’s adventure gene is still going strong

Making film documentaries, it’s where she belongs

With blue shirt and chinos as her attire

David Attenborough has finally given up and retired.

Ant and Jules have done a very great thing

They’ve returned to Namibia, Jules is queen, Ant is king.

Corruption’s been banished and Ant ruled, I have heard

That only the softest of butter may be served.

Garrett and Jess are fabulously rich

Their hiking pole access’ry line launched without a hitch

You could say that they’ve certainly come right along

Check it out for yourself at pole-pole dot com.

But what of their food distribution empire?

Well that was all solved with one brilliant hire

The new CEO, all agree is the best

The sign on the door says, “Just call me Jess”.

Babu and I?  We’re successful, too

You see we’ve discovered the fountain of youth

More than diet and exercise, we must confess

With all due apologies to our dear Jess.

It’s taking the time to make friends young and dear

That sends the clock backwards, year minus year.

So let’s make a pact, in a decade or two

To all meet again, at the top of Meru!

(This poem was written over 6 days during our 8-day climb up Kilimanjaro, January 3-10, 2012.  It is an effort to capture the memories of the wonderful people and place that is Mt. Kilimanjaro.  It is dedicated to each member of our climbing team and our outstanding support team, headed by chief guide Joseph “Photo”)