The Mountain Man's Lament - Both Audio and Text

I stand here, cold and lonely, on this godforsaken mountain, That stretches from the tiny valley, lying far below, To well within the clouds of gray that float before my eyes, And ponder on the life that I abandoned years ago. Longing for a chance to mend a badly wounded heart, The “mountain man” vocation seemed a safe and simple way. But now, as I look back, I see the privacy and quiet Are far from fair exchange for what I live with here today. A younger man - a man betrayed - would fell the massive trees… Hewn - then carefully sewn - into this meager, callous home, And now - a far more weary man - must fetch supplies each fall Essential to survival in this wilderness I roam. When, on rare occasions, I descend to trade my furs, The town-folk do not query me to learn the reason why I have turned my back on life. I’m sure some know the truth, But those who don’t don’t seem to think they need to…nor do I. Still, despite the loneliness…with none to hear my words - Other than the hounds who’ve shared my cabin through the years - I have found some semblance of the solace I’d required To mend a badly broken heart, and quell relentless tears. Yet rarely does a day go by it doesn’t cross my mind, And I suspect the memory will survive until I’m dead, ‘Cause I still hear the tender sighs that warmed my trusting heart, And see her lovely face, as I remember what she said. “I am yours completely,” were the words I heard so often. And, “I will never leave you,” are the last ones I would hear. But married only forty days…she left me for another… And that is why, today, my friend…you find me living here. PS: I've now got 4 new CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied poems), listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - should those of you who travel care to be so entertained. (We use PayPal) Cheers, Mark