Out on the Trail
When the dogs are ready
Their traces tight
It’s time to be off
Into the cold crisp night
–
I call “let’s go”
To the leader bitch
She goes straight ahead
Without a hitch
–
So off we go
On our midnight mush
The only sound
From the runners a shush
–
Through the trees
And over the hill
The night is calm
Quiet and still
–
The trail is hard
Smooth and fast
The dogs are pacing
I know they’ll last
–
20 miles in
The dogs lost some zest
I stopped to give them
A drink and a rest
–
As I give each dog
An encouraging word
A howl to the west
A wolf could be heard
–
We sit and listen
To the silent night
The wolf forgotten
No sign of fright
–
We head for home
Our journey half done
The dogs are running
Like they just begun
–
We hit the home stretch
Well past four
The dogs are tired
Me even more
–
We hit the kennel
All stiff and sore
The dogs left behind
Are in an uproar
–
We couldn’t take them all
Some had to stay
They’ll be ready to go
Another day
Poem Style: Ballad Quatrain
Written 1987
