Sorrel Swamp

Through the fetid swamp we slogged We sat and rested on a log Where are we? Mr. Harbid said On a log in Sorrel Swamp, just you and me and Ed All along the road I thought Wrong way, wrong way and now we’re caught Lost in all this miry mess Not knowing east or west we guess Which way is out? I want to shout It’s getting dark and we can’t see Will predators come after me? This place is crawling in the night Especially when we have no light With no flashlight and no phone No place to rest your head like home The darkness spread like creeping hands Smothering these swampy lands We couldn’t see or tell the time There we sat in mud and slime Noises in the woods, what’s that? We’re not nocturnal are we Ed? As we listened filled with dread Chirpers, creekers, splashing frogs We thought we heard some distant dogs Something crawled across my hand I couldn’t sit; I had to stand No rest for us tonight, I said I wish I was at home in bed We made it through the slimy night And from the east we saw the light Now we know which way to go Stop! There’s a snake ahead Mr. Harbid said to Ed We watched it slither through the muck Hoping soon to find our truck I think we’re coming to the hill We’ll find it now, I know we will Ed stopped cold up by a tree What is it Ed? What do you see? I’m planning on a fast retreat He whispered, alligator, looks like a log Hiding right there in that bog I don’t want to be a piece of meat We got away, just barely though Let’s be more careful where we go Ed said to me, you lead My nerves are frazzled, yes indeed We went around our hungry foe Now I was leading with friends in tow Suddenly the ground gave way Quicksand! I shouted, get away! Throw me a branch and rescue me Out I came, new coat of mud but free Mr. Harbid, lead the way I’ll follow now, it’s not my day He found the road just up ahead We found our truck, bright shiny red Let’s fix the truck and get some food We’re going home. It feels so good