another's life

Joe Simpson's touched the void, but hasn't died
vicariously, we enjoy the tale
of hauling his ass off that mountainside
where normal actuary tables fail
alone, without support, he had to cope
back down to basecamp where his own tracks led
pursuing Simon who had cut the rope
believing, in good faith, he must be dead
exquisite storytelling makes one feel
experiences by the climber's lights
emotional responses can be real
although you've sat at home, and shunned the heights
mortality imbues this life with zest
but someone else's near-miss--that's the best