If you think you're tough you ain't seen enough I'll tell you about a man
One that didn't complain about pain from when it all began
I met him years ago, hair white as snow, but with only one leg.
As we talked, to the obvious he balked and the question he did beg
But after a few beers, disappeared all fears and the story started
Years ago, fire wood was running low so with my ax I parted
Had cleared the ground all around so took the high trail
I'd cut down a tree that would give me wood through winter without fail
After a while, maybe a mile, found a large dead oak
Started to chop and didn't stop until heard it cracked and broke
Stepping out of the way, a rock came into play, trunk pinning leg to stone
Fight as I might caught in a bite, tons pushing down on my leg bone
As much as I did yell, no one to tell, no one to hear my call
There I lay most all day, sandwiched leg between tree and rock wall
Although It was getting late, thought I'd wait, then came the ants
At the fall of night, felt the first bite, crawling in my shirt and pants
Ruthless and mean, ants will pick you clean, impossible to relax
Without other hope, I started to grope till my hand found my ax
Knowing I'd pass out with the first clout, breathed deep, took off my belt
Wrapped it round my leg, tightened it with a branch peg, pressure felt
Raised the ax high, closed my eye, swung with all my strength
With first whack all went black, came around at length
Thudding pain in my brain, blood everywhere but leg still intact
Took another swing, felt the sting with the force of the impact
With leg severed I endeavored to pull my body free
With ax as a crutch couldn't do much, could only stand by degree
In the gloam I hobbled home had to stop the bleeding
Started a fire, fanned the flames higher, red hot cast iron proceeding
Burnt the stump till just a charred lump, fell on my bed
With a moan broke away the protruding bone, thinking I'd soon be dead
With no sleep, eyes too dry to weep a constant throbbing pain
My fever broke as I awoke and vowed to never do that again
-
Author:
sorenbarrett (
Online) - Published: August 25th, 2025 03:19
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 22
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, Cheeky Missy, Bella Shepard
Online)
Comments7
Your poem reads like an oral epic rendered in bush‑ballad rhythm; a survival yarn told by firelight, equal parts grit and gallows humour. You can almost hear the voice leaning in over the table as the “few beers” loosen the tongue and the story takes on its unstoppable roll. It’s a meditation on endurance stripped of all abstraction: pain, isolation, and the choices made when no help is coming. The physicality is so vivid it almost crowds the air from the page, yet there’s also an underlying respect for the quiet, stubborn will to survive. By the end, the vow to “never do that again” rings with wry understatement, the kind of closing line that makes the listener exhale, in part disbelief and part admiration.
Thank you Cryptic for your most kind words and careful reading of this poem that came from a true story of a man I heard of here in Brazil. It is most appreciated.
This poem revolves around survival, resilience, and the harsh realities of the natural world. It tells the harrowing story of a man who suffers a severe injury while chopping wood in the wilderness but manages to overcome the dire situation through sheer willpower and determination. The poet includes themes of pain, isolation, and the struggle for survival, as well as a reflection on the consequences of risky behavior in nature. The poet highlights the themes of resilience, the human capacity to endure pain, and the lessons learned from dangerous encounters with nature. It serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of underestimating the wilderness and the human spirit's ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Thanks so much Friendship for your read and words of interpretation and encouragement they are deeply appreciated. Thank you for your support my friend
Whoa! That scene with the ants crawling...ruthless, impossible to relax...was chilling. Truly chilling. It grounded the whole piece in physical terror before the real horror even began. Powerful work. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛ You know I LOVED THIS from the title onward! 🤣
Thank you Tristan a true story it is though not mine personally (thank god) I appreciate your support and kind words
Tremendous.
Thank you Thomas for the read and support it is most appreciated
Good write SB.
Thank you Orchi for the read. Don't go looking for that extra part for KP's meal it has been out there too long
How many people would have the courage to survive at such a cost? A story told in wonderful verse, and I suppose a valuable lesson learned.
Thank you dear Bella for your read and kind words of support they are always most appreciated
We can all do things that we would never do again soren, fine write.
Andy
Thank you Andy appreciate the read and kind words
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