the axis of the world

here at the base
i look up
the sky is clear dark blue
and darker at the pinnacle
this mountain
an ancient pyramid
covered in snow
the air up here
so cold and clean
i'm breathing dizzy
with it all

and here converges
valleys, rivers, gorges
and plateaus
animals free to ramble
roam
make the land home
alongside man
not above or below

and taking on your sorrow
and your burden
i will nest it in my open heart
and feel the joy in lightening you
while lightening myself
watch the sadness and the pain
feather off
in the black smoke
that once was all the weight
we carried
for so long
the axis of the world
feeds each and everyone