Dear Junko Tabei
Junko Tabei was the first woman to “summit” Mount Everest (1975). She later scaled the Seven Summits (the highest peak in seven continents).
Men climbers shunned you
Disparaged your dreams
Thought you did it for money
Or to meet a man
But there are easier ways to find a husband
Warmer ones too
In their eyes
You were a kitchen
A nursery
A sidewalk
Your eyes saw
Wind’s glutinous thrash
Snow’s looming smother
Mountain’s tragic heart
The next step upward
28 thoughts on "Dear Junko Tabei"
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WOW! She and Lynn Hill are two of my FAVORITE climbers of all-time. This poem speaks volumes about the mountains female climbers have literally and figuratively scaled to lift us all up to new heights. Yes! Yes! Yes! This is one of my favorite poems EVER!
Thanks, H.A., for your kind words! Are you a climber? Yes, Lynn Hill is a star as well. So many strong women out there.
Climbed more in my 20s and early 30s. NOTHING to the degree those women have done, but my husband climbs. He’s fearless!
Very cool! I get dizzy out on my balcony.
Ha! “But there are easier ways to find a husband”
Shew! to that 2nd and 3rd stanza.
Thanks, Pam. I couldn’t believe anyone thought that she was husband hunting on Mount Everest, but 1975 was another time, wasn’t it?
RIGHT?! That’s such an insane take. Great tribute to an inspiring person Sylvia.
Compelling, historical, truth-telling. Such a strong tribute.
Thanks, Lee. Her story is amazing. She started as a frail child and look what she accomplished.
Thank you, Lee! I was fascinated by her story and the grueling Everest climb.
“to find a husband” is so crazy! “A sidewalk” lands hard and then the poem carries us up!
I know, right? Thanks for the kind words!
“to meet a man” at the summit? Define the threat of a women soaring. Wait, you just did, brillantly!
Yes, and unfortunately, a “woman soaring” is still a threat. Thanks for reading!
What a tribute! So much strength here, I really enjoyed this one
Thank you, N.D. I appreciate your thoughts and for reading!
Brilliant writing.
Great honiorific
“find a husband/
warmer ones too.” Is solid gold!
I did always want to be a solid gold dancer. Thanks, Coleman, for being such a cheerleader for us this month! Your comments are the real gold!
Great writing, great tribute.
Thank you, Linda, and thanks for the memory car trip poem this morning!
Wow! That second stanza is savage. The whole poem is one of those bitter potions that heal you.
I’ll take savage for $200, Kevin! I appreciate your ever-intriguing comments!
It’s wonderful to learn about this ground-breaking woman! This tribute is beautifully visceral– and that last metaphor, “Mountain’s tragic heart” is my favorite here.
A story I was unaware of but love the way you rendered it – a powerful woman!
a great, you go girl moment, yours and hers
Amen, Sylvia!
The last stanza is WOW…capturing what must be the agony of climbing Everest!
Beautiful and packs a punch! “A sidewalk”!