Getting Out

Breaking camp in Big Sky
Hunters all gone
the last
trucked out at dawn
Bucking it out
against the coming storm

Packing, rigging, loading
to pack it once again
downtrail, at the creek
Nine miles, where trucks wait
silent, oil thick as tar
Cattle racks, trailers frozen in

No time for reflection
on the turning
of another season
Shots missed, things seen
Gear and outfits broken
against the teeth of cold

Sometimes spirits too
The dreams of those who come
for what's not here
Looking for adventure
Missing it
before their eyes

Time only to collect and carry
Strapping down, frozen fingers
counting, checking lists
Leaving cans, beans and coffee
Cabins unchained, unlocked
The law for the lost

Four riders load and lead
eight horses packed
Slipping, scrabbling out and down
Curses, laughter, times forgotten
Broken leadshanks, patching
looking back, saying goodbye

The mountains say nothing
nor need to
A century of hunters, prospectors
loggers too have come and gone
A needlepoint of light
against the sun of mountain time