After he fell it took several hours
to find his broken body.
People who knew about it
said that for him it was an easy climb.
There had been rain
the rock was slippery and wet
he had climbed in rain before
no ropes axe pitons
nothing but a bag of chalk.
Thirty-six years old.
They said he was good company
friendly jolly easy-going
called him Dr. Death and Dirty Derek.
He drank beer in The Old Chicago
ate no meat didn't use tobacco
no wife job kids life insurance.
He had a girlfriend.
Gravity claimed him.
.................................................................... Israel Lewis