Chilkoot Spring

Published:
http://deadsnakes.blogspot.com/2016/01/jerry-dale-mcdonnell-three-poems.htm





                                     by

                      Jerry Dale McDonnell




After a whiff of spring
Snow slipped in.

Don't tell anyone the treasure
Is still there, lying bare.

Yesterday it smelled
Like woods’ walking.

The martin resting on a log, giving
Me a wink, bear awake, ridge riding.

Eagle not taking wing as I glide by.
The seals have returned to the bays.

From the tree top
Porcupine faking sad.

On this spring day of sundry sun my
Skis also seek a fool like me and bide me go.

The treasure remains. Someone left the
Vault door open for the pauper price of sweat.

I will glide and stroke,
Avoiding the overflow,

Up the Taiya River along the famous
Chilkoot Trail where thousands of

Fabulous fools brought their quixotic
Dreams in a poke leaving a few fingers

And toes and lives and hope
                        On a white staircase of bleeding gold.

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