Ridge that barely touches earth
Bridge that arches o’er the blue
Climb too steep for forks or swerves
Time of toiling through and through
The heights I shall not long remain
In dips is where I’ll rise again
A paradigm much tried and true
Colin Lee
As a decade-long resident of Ma On Shan (“Saddle Hill” in Chinese), I at last succeeded in summiting the 702 m dormant volcano and the eponymous landmark of our town last weekend. Although Ma On Shan isn’t our tallest mountain in Hong Kong, it’s surely our most challenging for hikers. Therefore, I’m more than grateful for the company of Marcus, my daredevil bestie and a veteran adventurer, as we scaled the deadly cliffs along Ma On Shan’s east ridge together. The peak’s panoramic unreality was every bit glorious to every fibre of our beings after the punishing acclivity.
Having said that, Ma On Shan is not for everyone and is, for safety reason, an officially no-entry area (although, quite ironically, in order to stay safe, one must proceed by “following” the warning signs along the route).
And here goes my somewhat last-minute link-up to dVerse’s quadrille of the week (prompt word “steep”). Cheers.
Now that is an experience worth relating!
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Thanks for relating. 🙂
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🙂
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Sounds like risky and rewarding adventure, Colin! Cheers 🙂
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Cheers, Lynn. Thanks for reading. 🙂
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My pleasure 🙂
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It is a beautiful place but I’ll pass.
I like the second line of the second stanzas – it evokes hope.
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Thank you for reading, my friend.
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well done friend! and the accompanying poem echoes your triumphant roar so magnificently
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Thank you, Gina. There was no turning back up there on the ridges … which helped!
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I like the rhythm and rhyme.
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Thanks!! 🙂
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I can see from the photo how that walk is dangerous and beautiful. I liked this line: “In dips is where I’ll rise again” Nice sound.
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Thank you, sir.
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Incredible!! I admire your bravery. So glad the word “steep” was so timely for you. Thanks for sharing your quadrille and your adventure.
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Thank you for hosting, Mish. Sorry for the late reply and for ending up missing the poetry trail after all — although having completed a physical trail. Yikes.
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The heights I shall not long remain
In dips is where I’ll rise again
Super! Love those lines. Saddles are the nexuses of ridgetops. And of life, hope and ascensions, and hang on! Hoping to be on Mt Timpanogas saddle this summer. 🏔
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Thank you, Lona, for reading and for your thoughtful comment. I wish you great success and good weather in your summer hike. 🙂
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A lovely poem from a fellow pescatarian poet to boot! Can’t be too many of us on WordPress Colin?!? Thanks for sharing! I am a Life Coach with a passion for poetry and have a poetry blog here on WordPress in case you have time to read? http://www.peacockpoetryblog.wordpress.com You can also follow me on Instagram #coachingcreatively in case you use this platform? Have a good Monday! Sam 🙂
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Goodness me — a fellow pescetarian poet! What are the odds? Thank you for reading, Sam. 🙂
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Indeed – a rare find Colin! Am glad we connected! 🙂
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I’m thrilled!
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Reminiscent of Striding Edge, on the climb to Helvellyn in the English Lake District…
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Really? And to think, we had our honeymoon (part of it) spent very close by on the other side of the M6. I should take a look if I’ll drive past the area again in the future. Thank you for reading, Mr Anderson.
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The heights I shall not long remain
In dips is where I’ll rise again
A paradigm much tried and true
Cheers and well said…and in life’s adventure you shall not eschew.
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No, you’re right. One should embrace the inevitable gladly. Thanks for reading, Uncle John!
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