Vultures Circling - Part One
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I'd just checked out of a hotel in the town of Santa Fe
Went to the store to collect supplies and went on my way
I was heading for the gold rush in the state of California
And had registered a claim at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.
I arrived in Arizona and knew there was desert up ahead
I'd heard many folks who'd tried to cross it had ended up dead
But I'd prepared myself well and had brought plenty of water
Because temperatures were rising and it was going to get hotter.
I took it easy and walked my horse slowly, along with my mule
Pushing them in this heat would have been the actions of a fool
An old- timer I'd met in town had crossed this desert once before
And had drawn me a map showing a water hole, in a canyon floor.
It was about a two day ride in and I'd see three tall rocks he'd said
But my plans were about to change soon because trouble lay ahead
It was now approaching noon and everywhere shimmered in the heat
My horse and mule needed a rest and were looking dead on their feet.
After about an hour I set off, and then noticed vultures circling
I thought it must be an animal that was on the verge of dying
It was then that I heard two loud gunshots in the far distance
I thought someone's is in distress and might need my assistance.
Cautiously I headed off from my route to where I'd heard the sound
To me someone firing shots meant that they wanted to be found
I came across the scene, there was a covered wagon on its side
Sat by the wagon was a young girl and when she saw me she cried.
The wagon had lost a wheel and had fallen ten feet down a divide
Both the horses were dead, along with a man and woman inside
With the fall and the injuries I could see why they didn't survive
The girl had been sleeping and the soft bedding, had kept her alive.
The girl told me her name was Jenna and that she'd fired the gun
She was badly dehydrated and her face badly burnt from the sun
I gave her some sips of water but signs of heatstroke were showing
I hope the old-timer had been right, but I had no way of knowing.
I buried her folks in a shallow grave, it was the least I could do
The shapes of the vultures circling stood out against the blue
I managed to make crosses out of wood and put them side by side
Then turned to the girl Jenna and said, "At sundown we'll ride".
I then transferred some gear from my horse onto the mule
Thought it would be better to travel at night when it was cool
Luck was on our side with a full moon, as we headed into the night
You could make out the features of the landscape in the bright light.
We'd been travelling about seven hours and then straight up ahead
Were three towering stacks of rock, just like the old-timer had said
Standing majestic in the morning sunrise and were glowing a bright red
I prayed the old-timer had been right or me and the girl would be dead.
It was dark and cool in the canyon with towering walls either side
Horse and mule were struggling now and wouldn't survive a long ride
All my canteens were now empty and I'd given Jenna the last drop
Then my horse lifted his head snorting , and came to an abrupt stop.
Then over to my right there it was, crystal clear water in a well
About three days ride from now we'd be out of this burning hell
After a few hours resting in the canyon we were completely revived
And I knew that without water neither of us would have survived.
I made sure horse and mule had drank enough, and got ready to go
But before any prospecting was done, I was going to Sacramento
That's where Jenna and her folks had been going, she had told me
To live on a farm of her fathers brother, his wife and their family.
One thing I'd learnt on this trip was always prepare for the unexpected
Or it would surely cost you your life and you could easily end up dead
I was looking forward to some whiskey and a bath when we hit town
And as we headed off out of the canyon the sun was going down.
written 25th July 2022
Pick-A-Title, Vol 31 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh
Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2022
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