Everpest

old man on the hillside

summit in his sight

sherpa to the left

fixed rope to the right

two hundred in front of  him

two hundred behind

in step now with hillary

all-conquering kind

peak view stunning

simultaneous blinding

what's hidden below 

under  snowy icing

20 tons of garbage

many things much worse

four human bodies

four buried climbers

the dichotomies of life 

and its many highs

man compromises

age has made him wise

youth on the hillside

summit out of sight

doesn't need an answer

gets the question right