"Back-Country Blues"
They’ve headed for the hiking trails laid out,
Which lead to wilderness or thereabout,
Where Mother Nature’s best is there to see –
Raw beauty where creeks start out for the sea.I saw them leave, though some were well-prepared
As one can be where terror starts at scared;
“More guts than brains” the term which came to mind,
Except one hiker, known to me as kind.He loses keys, forget his phone, and says,
“It matters not, I press on every day;
For some things matter deeply in my heart,
Like long-term friendships – doing life as art.“The context’s changed for everyone – it seems
That gamers game the game if they so please;
That’s even if it wrecks it for the rest,
’Till one on top’s displaced though very best.“The mission now is more like that of mule
To carry heart’s desire, like back at school;
Or mountain passes like the von Trapp folks
Who started for the border – no one spoke –“For fear of giving up their leaving plan
To flee the Nazi terrors of their land;
There’s many who attempt to make such runs,
But stopped they are by border-guarding guns.“Besides such dangers, all who walk such paths,
Like trails in Spain where pilgrim-walkers ask
The way from place to place – not all survive;
Extreme such sports, like surfing rocky tides.”O Lord, for those who venture out today,
Intending to return at end of day,
Be with them; keep them safe from grievous harm,
As they head off with ropes and harness armed.Thanks Lord for this.
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