The Miner

                                                               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.