Down From Snow Line

THIS is our Everest we have not climbed;
We went to climb with double trust of step,
And now the two of us go down again.

Now we can be together on the plain
With level thoughts and only level thoughts;
But well behind us is the unruffled snow,

Upland, too far, we will not ever know;
It lies for braver feet than ours to climb,
And all its beautiful field is virgin still.

Why did we ever see the astonishing hill,
The dark blue sky, the white snow stabbing it,
The wind upon the point of our desire?

But this was morning when we did not tire;
We knew the gradient, and we took our chance,
And went so high together, and descend.

In safe green landscape you are still my friend;
But looking round, I see without excuse
All Everest between our footsore tracks.