ALPINE CLIMBERS

 (Painting by Elijah Walton 1832-1880

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery).

 

 I am not sure whether

 They are ascending

 Or descending,

 Steps cut in snow

 Might indicate the latter

 But I am no expert.

 

 What I do know, is that

 This was the infancy

 Of Alpine climbing,

 Their big hats

 And long ice picks

 Prove it.

 

 Four men stare at me

 From an icy slope

 As if I had called out

 Suddenly to them,

 They look displeased

 At my rude interruption

 

 Of their spiritual activity,

 For they believed

 A mystical force led them,

 That same force the artist

 Has trapped forever

 Within this wooden frame.

 

(c) David Subacchi.2015