Black Bog

My descent was gradual, sedge meadows with wondrous pink orchid variations visited by never identified damselflies, my head starting to swim; erasing time, giving way to a dark canopied wetland of black spruce, difficult to traverse, sloping deer trails the safest path to take, avoiding quick-mud holes. These trails are popular in the forest, as signs reveal, death struggle remains, the saddest.
 This is the area I saw the hairless half ape/half wolf like creature block my trail, stopping to look at me deeply, then vanishing like a ghost, without even a ruffle of plants.
 Sometimes a plant, flower or insect calls to me "come closer" so I approach with caution; my hand carved heavy oak staff probing for danger, strong enough to ward off bears and badgers, snakes & insect saboteurs, intent on my demise.
 With compass and topo I chart my course, knowing each time I visit these wild places in the forest off Lake Superior, it could be my last, so I bring back natural, wondrous souvenirs that fill my day-dreams, content once more, cleansed of my sins by Her Majesty, the forests off Gitchi Gumee.


Authors note...never venture into these wild places alone, always be prepared with survival equipment in your pack.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Robinson Jr. Avatar
July 24, 2018 at 2:29 PM
A true naturalist ... wonderful sagely wisdom, M. Cool, enlightening write. Love and joy always.
Lamoureux Avatar
April 16, 2018 at 8:54 AM
Good advice! You are a good story teller Jim.
Horsman Avatar
March 8, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Awesome Story telling James, enjoyed this.
Lovejoy-Burton Avatar
March 1, 2018 at 12:46 PM
FABULOUS. I am now waiting for the next instalment.....transported out of room, off page totally immersed in the half twilight darkness of a thoroughly foreign, yet strangely familiar sense of walking these paths before .... with a need to follow a strange creature, knowing it is best to let it run free but the temptation to know more incredibly overwhelming and instinctual. Next chapter required....
Lovejoy-Burton Avatar
March 1, 2018 at 12:48 PM
Add to my favourites.
One Avatar
February 20, 2018 at 6:43 AM
Now that is an excellent poem James.. hope you are well..
DiMino Avatar
February 19, 2018 at 9:20 PM
Now that's one hell of an adventure! Felt I was there with you, every mysterious step of the way. Good to be home. I need a beer, and a safe chair. Great read!
Hauser  Avatar
January 28, 2018 at 1:31 PM
Much enjoyed!
Sands Avatar
January 28, 2018 at 11:46 AM
Such an adventure this is! Well written James. :)
Pandit Avatar
January 28, 2018 at 7:06 AM
You take the reader on this forest journey--awesome imagery of scenes on the trail..very well depicted, James.
Michael Avatar
January 27, 2018 at 11:19 PM
You're a lucky man...from the forest, you may never return...Nice imagery in your poem...All the best James
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