Tall Tale of a Shelter Seeker
With setting sun, the shadows claim
and black bats dart and tumble
the mountain campers seek the flame
lest specters claim the humble
With reckless breath the zephyr flings
the frisky spark up with the smoke
‘neath leafy arch, near flames that wink
legends are often spoke....
A wandering scout, off course was blown
as the lengthening shadows grew
he wandered round in woods unknown
aware that night ensued
A tempest crashed out her mighty chords
the scout, determined, remained staid
with the faithful compass trail, bereft
he sought for sheltering, vaulted cave
Wandering in the wildest most
impenetrable forest
where axe or saw had never rung
in tune with nature’s chorus
A crag sprung forth above a lair
whose shadowy claim held shelter
he lit a torch to enter there
to leave the untamed welter
He saw a gun against the wall
beneath some writing there
with illumined torch he read the scrawl
“Today I shot my very first bea...”
-Malcolm Kogut.