A/N: Based on the short poem "Excelsior" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, but it does tie in with the movie.
Excelsior Too
Still fresh in mind though ten years past
That soul did climb with courage vast
Until heart beat no more and died
His voice and banner did both cry
Excelsior!
...
Once again village peace was shattered
To climbers whom only scaling mattered
One by one the thin line wound
Through the village up snowy ground
Excelsior!
...
What drives you on? The priest did ask
Others have died upon this task
Not for the faint or even meek
We're driven on because we seek
Excelsior!
...
Each held a pole with glowing light
No doubt to help during the night
A glowing snake shown up the hill
Marking these folk and steadfast will
Excelsior!
...
The last climber gone except for one
"I can't pause 'till my quest be done"
Fred waved and left after his mates
On yon summit destiny awaits
Excelsior!
...
A shattering boom in morning air
Villagers raced up retracing steps there
Higher and higher to the source
Of that indomitable force
Excelsior!
...
Till at last attained they the plateau
And eyes took in fantastic tableau
The lighted poles demarked a field
That did bring such courage steeled
Excelsior!
...
Villagers stared at the monstrous lamp
A lighted ship with extended ramp
Fantastic colors and deep tones
That thrilled the spirit and shook bones
Excelsior!
...
It arose aloft when Fred had entered
And left the field melted snow centered
Aghast villagers later stated
The ship's name unknown, later translated
Excelsior!
A/N: The original poem about courage, drive and determination by Longfellow was later illustrated by the humorist James Thurber; when I read the poem with the illustrations in my mind the pennant/banner the climber was carrying became a homing beacon and suddenly the Devil's Tower scene started playing in my head and the question 'Why not another landing site?' came to mind. This vastly changed the motivation for the climber, and an alternate version of the original poem was born; see, I told you it tied in with the movie! At least it turned out better than 'A Canticle for Leibowitz'.