See both sides

You could stand astride the ridge and see
both sides, perhaps that’s what contrived a reason
for returning to the spot (though not a crucial
part of Final Exercise). I know it cleansed
me when I stood and moved my head just so,
engendered such a sense of the surreal,
blending as it did with what was real and
far away, a powerful kind of healing,
a feeling that sustained your distanced soul.

The major wouldn’t go to where I stood,
he said it wouldn’t matter if he did, our
business wasn’t there. We only walked the
path up to the ridge to test the fitness of
the very best. Those who passed could rest,
the stragglers and the lesser lights were let
to glimpse the view. As the major said, for them
the business was at end and cleansed or not
it really didn’t matter.
© I.D. Carswell