[Joe Yelverton took my author photo and he’s a dear friend

—his harrowing experience is the inspiration for today’s poem. Check out his amazing writing and photography on his website . ] 

Before the Avalanche before hell cracked loose far above and darkened our world an apology, a revelation the rising mountain between us, fell away before the white wall of snow barreled toward us we shared a moment that would keep me alive long after we were first swallowed, then beaten buried long after I washed out below, broken, battered bruised long after you appeared, disappeared again and again long after we fell, and the first night fell, haunting and each thereafter what came before the avalanche tore us apart forever carries me over each mountain