Captured in midflight, between the ledge
And falling from the previous handhold
Upon the rock face, descending from the edge
In a controlled orbit, blockades of stone
On two sides, spray shredded air, cold
And soaking, to left and right, alone

Concentration on progress up the face
Of the cliff. Sky above, with clouds grey
In Rorschach patterns which trace
Out pictures of a chaotic fall. Below,
The sea waves assault the rocks, flay
The shelf with nine-tailed seaweed cats, throw

Up driftwood, down shells. And all the time
The stone contends with hands and feet
Attempting to disrupt me as I climb
Upwards: A gross imitation of a fly,
Fingertips clasping for cracks, toes that meet
In relief the summit at the edge of the sky.

					1975