Walkabout Poem by martin elbin

camped once when i was just a boy
was lost as lost could be
seemed months i wandered on my own
but angels followed me.

didn't mean to lose my way
was practiced, planned and read
this compass was a friend of mine
i needed God instead.

started on a Saturday
an early morning trek
left off the bus at whitefish falls
and walked toward thompson's neck.

that river's on the right of me
just couldn't loose my way
a sight to see that river run
on past the light of day.

tenting by that tiny fire
first night's so full of stars
and crickets, owls and other things
no planes, no trains, no cars.

only nine more compass days to go
my parents felt secure
that park is only just so large
fresh air and water pure.

fell on the fifth day out
i never saw the stump
cracked my head while tumbling
and landed on my rump.

lost my knife and fishing line
my compass broke in bits
my ankle twisted in a knot
i cried and slept in fits.

laid out one day and watched the sun
rise up and fall away
no one showed up to save my life
but something begged me stay.

not hurt so bad, i stumbled on
ate berries and some beans
then tripped and fell into a pond
surrounded by some reeds.

sweet water washed away my tears
and soothed my foot and head
looked bad reflected in the pool
recovered from the dead.

scared still, i couldn't fish for food
and lost my way to go
thought back on all my well laid plans
and routes i used to know.

and then reflected in the pool
i jumped a foot at least
i saw, i swear, the face of God
and knew the moment's peace.

turned quick around to see him there
but nothing like his face
there were two deer, some trees and birds
that stood in heaven's place.

looked straight ahead, the deer just stared
at me with calming eyes
and taught me there without a word
to trust in God's clear skies.

still lost, i walked in circles then
found knife and hooks and line
the fishing rod was crushed to bits
so make one out of pine.

ate good that cool and quiet night
cooked fish upon a spit
safe and secure there in my tent
that firelight had lit.

next day's walk i found a road
at beckman's overlook
bought me a compass in the store
rewrote the path i took.

for miles, my unexpected route
was long and far that day
new views and revelations led
my heart a different way.

next day arrived at thompson's neck
good sight, that river's bend
and swam and searched that final day
with sunset, journey's end.

i'd never talked to God before
but resting on safe earth
said thanks to him for special guides
that brought me to this berth.

didn't sleep at all that night
cause we had lots to say
my folks were gonna find a man
when picking up that day

didn't mean to lose my way
was lost as lost could be
but i'll no longer walk alone
now God will walk with me.