Lammergeier-ears

Lam-mer-ge-ier [ lamb-er-guy-er]

What do you hear

With your Lammergeier-ears?

Lammergeier stalking Himalayan Thar, though perhaps looking for something a bit smaller? On the trail to Phortse, descending from a successful ascent of Mount Everest.

Do you hear a Yak?

With a Yak bell’s gong-gong.
Or do you hear a Nak,

Being milked, with a song.

Nak and baby Yak.

Lammergeier, Lammergeier,

What do you see?

Soaring so high,

With the wind in your wings.

Do you see climbers, scaling the heights?

Ed Webster climbing out of the Jaws of Doom, Everest Kangshung Face. Photo: Robert Anderson

Or rafters on rivers, holding on tight?

Lammergeier, Lammergeier,

What do you smell?

Heavy monsoon clouds from the valley below?

Or spring flowers sprouting, from fresh melting snow?

Headed down from Everest to Phortse, Khumbu, Nepal.

Lammergeier, Lammergeier,

What do you taste?
Diving out of the clouds,

Chasing rabbits with haste.

Or finding a climbers’ camp,

And eating cookies all day.

(You could get very full, and not be able to fly away.)

Camp 2, Everest Kangshung Face, Paul Teare and Robert Anderson prepare for the night. Photo: Stephen Venables.

Lammergeier, Lammergeier,

What do you feel?
Snow on your wings,

And freezing wind on your heels.

Lammergeier, Lammergeier,

Winter has come.

Fly away to the valleys,

Where it is warm in the sun.