tall turrets tower
towards sky’s ceiling
on a sunlit morning
where a neck stretches
with ambition
a route map for a
reckless small boy
as he ascends
climbing his potential
a dream for heights
he finds footholds
in red brickwork
honing his skills
imposed on Victorian
splendour where he climbs
to scale upwards
and outwards
on to a sloping roof
of his family home
lithe limbs move
sans fear
as young Mallory
peaks then descends
time and again
paving the way
for days ahead when
Everest loomed large
creating possibilities
of both glory and death