Governor Clement Shelter, Appalachian Trail, August 15th, 2014
We saw him at the road. We assumed he was dropping off his son. What a surprise to find out that we had a rescuer, and how scary to read what he had imagined. We had simply veered off at a scenic overlook to have lunch. He’s a professor of political science and a lovely man.
Today was rescue the
damsels in distress
day
It didn’t begin that way
you see there were these
two women who were
beginning their hike @
VT 140.
I arrived only to say “hi”
and they were off!
As I climbed the
AT path up the
mountain
I could hear them
laughing + talking
up ahead
and then there was
no more joyous
banter to hear
Those women could
hike!
They just vanished.
They smoked me.
I reminded myself to
“hike my own hike.”
And then the damsels
were screaming + crying
out.
I could hear them up ahead
There was a dirt road
along the AT + I
feared for their safety.
At 71 years old saving
damsels from violent
men, is not an
enviable task…
But hikers come to
one another’s aid
I pulled my bear spray
at the ready +
Headed up the trail….
only to find that the
noise came from a
bunch of guys putting
up a cell tower.
How does on spell “relief”?
It was I who was
saved.
About 7pm the damsels
walked into camp
Safe, happy + demanding
poetry.
What a wonderful descriptive poem. I felt your relief when you realized you were the one saved. Sure hope this poetry exercise inspires you to write more, and not just on the AT. Jer