In the high country
on horseback,
Indian blanket coat tucked around you
someone took your picture on a mountain.
Simba Dee stands as if he knows
his picture is being taken
and this is an important moment
a frozen flash of seconds in
the newly fallen snow.
You were out there hunting
or leading hunters on...
guiding men and women into territory
where they had never ventured, never gone.
You've gone so many places
done so many things I would never dare to do.
I see you there and think of bravery
and integrity and all that's true.
Riding the backs of steep mountains
into the deep and treacherous snow...
once getting lost in a blizzard on the switchbacks
keeping an all night fire going so you,
the three horses never froze.
And then when the female brown bear rushed you
as you chanced upon her and her cubs...
you hadn't meant any harm then
but it would have ended with either you or
her dead in the mud.
And how badly you felt as you let the Rangers
know...there were orphaned cubs out there
and you told them exactly where to go...
so much of the time guiding everyone,
but who will guide you now?
I know you are in so much pain.
If only I could remove it, somehow.
I would be your guide,
if you would let me be.
I would help you discover hope
and see its yet unexplored country.
Copyright April 11 2012 All rights reserved by Author
