Too many leagues have felt the beat
of my old and tiring heart
as well as worn boots on my feet
since this journey's distant start.

Woods once open now are deep
with shadows, not sun, now the rule;
brambles replaced by vines' creep,
warmth giving way to ceaseless cool.

Since I topped last mountain side
where sun shone on the western slope
here on the north shadows abide
moss, ferns and mushrooms barely cope.

Beneath these tall snow twisted trees,
all grey with crowns of evergreen,
whose trunks look like arthritic knees
limbs form strange shapes not often seen.

This trail is steep and treacherous
all scree covered with slippery moss.
Roots that trip and make me cuss
and spider webs as strong as floss.

But ever onward goes my quest
my destination must be achieved.
The treasure hidden in my vest
makes even fantasies believed
............................

At last a murmur comes to me
below perhaps where water flows
then I at last finally see
a stream where rushing water grows.

As I become ever nearer
and the land reclines less steep
the view at last becomes much clearer
and up my spine chills start to creep.

For guarding this waterway's course
ancient stone figures stand stern
though time's wear has left them coarse
some even tumbled at shore's berm.

What forgotten people once lived here
and then disappeared into the past
leaving their lands to grouse and deer
their tale and fate forgotten at last.

This time of year waters don't run deep
so I turn and go downstream a while
while toward full darkness shadows creep.
I make lone camp after a mile.

My fire is built where a stone arch
once soared across a quiet pool
its ends vanish among somber larch.
The air suddenly turns cool.

Sun winks out on the far side ridge
just as a desultory breeze begins.
Come morning I'll seek out a bridge
that might lead me to sunny glens.

Cold pemican for a spare meal
washed down by some bitter tea.
As I lay on my blanket I soon feel
that long gone spirits assail me.
......................
.....next segment coming soon........

part 3
As I lie awaiting sleep
a falling star blazes above
then as my eyelids downward creep
I think a thought of my true love....

From dreamless sleep I jolt awake
as a nearby echo fades away.
I gather my gear for safety's sake
just as i hear a jackbwolf's bray.

Then another, closer still.
I realize they're tracking me
for their daily meal and kill
something I'd as soon not be.

So I string my bow and check my quiver
then turn to escape from the pack.
A closing bray makes my skin shiver
sending goose bumps down my back.

I climb a boulder in desperation
just as one comes into sight
its form an unholy amalgamation
split hooves like claws and polished bright.

Ears long but pointed and tucked back;
teeth like fangs and crushing cuspids;
evil blue eyes and/or coarse black;
eyes always open lacking eyelids.

Soon four of them surround my perch
so I nok an arrow to my bow,
shoot at one and make it lurch.
All it does is make its anger grow.

But they all four back up from my boulder
their snarly braying fills the night.
Their inherent misshaped shoulder
keeps them from jumping to my height.

So they spread out and all sit down
tenges lolling and dripping foul spit.
(the injured one with a fixed stare)
They'll wait me out...I'm in deep shit.

The half moon slowly makes its way.
At last the eastern stars turn dim
but the brutes won't go away.
My chance of living's pretty thin.

Daylight arrives, I look around.
The river's not too far away.
This clearing is by dense woods bound.
With rising sun the jack wolves bray.

If I could make it to the river
I'd be safe those beasts can't swim.
Their braying makes the whole world shiver.
No way I can outrun them.

I take some jerky from my pack
eat it and drink from my canteen.
The beasts arise, prepare to attack
then stop and turn toward something unseen.

Then I peer just as they do
into deep woods where sun sends spears
seeing at first just one or two
small trees shake as something nears.

Flashes of silver blind my eyes.
Jackwolves stampede away in fear.
My jaw hangs in blunt surprise
when I finally see what has come here.

end part 3