Uneasy Safety
This is the second half of My Journey
I found no more woods for cover
where would I go to rest, from prying eyes
for mostly houses now but sparce
and soon the sun would rise.
I came upon a empty shed
I slipped inside, and hearing no sound
no livestock, sheltered or kept
a rsting place, I found.
I crawled into the loft
where I could better watch out there.
The only company I had, so I thought
was the doves, mice my bed, to share.
I crept to the upper window
to be a working farm or empty
there it seemed-- a vacant house
as far as I could see.
Maybe I could stay a couple of days
and gain some strength before moving onward
I needed to scavage for some food
careful to listen, and yet not be heard.
>
I fell asleep-exhausted and beyond
dreaming of what used to be
I was again home with father and mother
happy and contented a life with my family.
I awoke past midday
the sun had gone toward the Eastern sky
in an hour or two it would set
I wouldn’t travel the night, no not I.
I found some beans in a jar
I suppose for planting-not eating
but I would look for melting snow for water
dast I try to make a fire for heating.
I decided to search the house
and if some one was there
I would make excuses about getting lost
and would they have some food to spare.
There were no chickens or cattle
and there was no cover on the windows
It was time to take my chances
or should I just run and go.
I decided it was do or die now
I must see what was in the house right now
there to my amusement and surprise
the occupant, was a cow, a real live cow.
There were webs and dust but no signs of life
other then this cow, which meant milk for me
she was full in the utters
a renegade just like me
>
There were some blankets and a few dishes
the stove was dirty but useable, I was sure
a pitcher for milk of the run away cow
I would be taken from her.
Tomorrow I would walk in
a eastern direction and west the next
as far as I dared in a half day
to see what lay beyond- a plan well fixed.
Each day I would search out the other parts
to see if there be human life close by
I felt safe for the moment
It’s not home, but fitting for the cow and I.
Soon there would plenty of grass for her
and yet she still would roam free
prayerfully I hoped she would stay
and fullfill a need for me.
Looking through the house~I found treasures
there was some women dresses and a comb
there was still firewood in the box and a flint
this is what I could call home.
There was a real bed, and a half broken mirror
some toliet water and pails for fetching
and behind the door, traps for game
for the catching.
I slept well and had fresh milk that night
and encouraged the cow to stay in too
I didn’t want her to wander off
as she most likely would do.
I walked to the east til the sun was high
in the noon time sky over head
then the rest of the day walking back
so far nothing, tired I fell into bed.
The next three days followed much the same
in the directions, north then south and east
I saw nothing of any consequence
not man, child, woman or beast.
I heard no sounds of approaching rider
but I did see game for the taking
So I would build a fire
for cooking and clean home making.
Father had taught me well to hunt
to steal quietly to the game
and with swift sureness done
a rock to the head to fell the same.
He said take only what you need
from the land and then plant more seed
Then you would never die from want
because of selfish greed,
I did just as he said and never took
or left to waste any thing
and careful in the killing of life
so as not to cause needless suffering.
In my scouting I had found a brook
that was now able to run
for spring was in full bloom now
snow all melted, under the warming sun.
That meant fish and fresh water
bathing water and water to clean
I didn’t have to melt snow any longer
and cow was eating grass of velvet green.
I did plan escape routes
and would go to the barn if I needed
Proably provide a temporary safety
that much I conceded.
OH how I wished Father and my mother
were here-- safe with me
I was still lonely and scared
I missed my family.
The days passed into weeks
every day, The God of the whiteman supplied
I was finding berries, nuts and game and milk
fine dinning to fill me up inside.
>
I had even found some books
I was glad I had learned to read
It help pass the lonely times
and supplied diversion of my other need.
I had no way of knowing
how far the others were now
do they still walk, day after day
or had they escaped some how.
then one day, what I had dreaded
a horse and rider, yet in the distance,
but drawing near my heart pounding
and I could do little but shake
some one was coming here.
sandy griffin 2005
The rest of the story will be
forth coming!!
All Rights pertected
Used with permission
http://www.our.homewithgod.com/sandra
http://storypen.com/inhimthroughhimforhimsandy
http://poetrypoem.com/inhimthroughhimforhimsandy
Thank you for walking this path with me!
1-20-2009
