The Miner
By Jack McGuire
I was lost out in the desert searching for a spot of shade
When I saw this flop eared burro walking briskly up a grade
Looking further up the hill I spied his tawny mate
A healthy looking critter who too was swift of gate
So I dropped in behind them as the sun begin to set
They were all the hope I had, a dying man’s last breath
The road was a rocky one, winding up and out of sight
But I kept on after them well into the night
By now my feet were dragging, my lips parched and dry
Those critters a step or two ahead of me on that road to the sky
Then I heard the sound a digging that was music to my ears
If men were up there mining they’re sure to have some beer
It wasn’t too much further when I stumbled to the top
Out of breath and weary now, a sorry looking sot
Then suddenly as a shadow or as lightning in a dream
Right there on that mountain top was a deep wide stream
My needs were downright simple, to drink and then be cool
Without a moment’s hesitation I dove right in that pool
I guzzled down a gallon when a brilliant flash of light
Showed a dozen grizzled miners moving into sight
There was something about them I didn’t really understand
But I stepped on out a dripping and offered them my hand
They all shouted and laughed and made me feel at home
Then, from out of that crowd appeared a man with features cut from stone
He looked like grandpa, who was a mountain of a man
Or another old miner, my favorite Uncle Dan
That’s when I come to realize I had found that pot of gold
I had made it up to Jericho and to the Mother Lode.