Cockeyed Optimist

The last time he was ever seen alive

Was when they passed by, heading for the peak.

They said he didn’t even try to speak;

They knew he couldn’t possibly survive.

It wasn’t that they wanted to contrive

A likely story, nor to hide a streak

Of inhumanity, blaming his technique;

But that their aim was simply to arrive.

Nobody had forced him to decide

To make the climb without the proper gear;

Maybe it was his sense of pride

That led him to confront his deepest fear.

But now we, each of us, must hide

A guilty conscience and hold back a rueful tear.

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