Nine Stories

Tracks in the tall toadflax where he crawled,

Past Dodge Summit toward Athabasca falls,

Practicing his Avocets and Gnatcatcher calls

Walrus trudged along

While low in a lodgepole branch nearby

Barnyard Owl watched with an amorous eye

[OWL:]

“What unprecedented gift does this afternoon provide?”

“I’ve flown across the sea where the soldierfish swam,

I’ve slept inside the shoe of the world’s tallest man,

I saw Charlotte Corday with the knife in her hand;

It was nothing new

I’ve perched on Steele, Dakota’s sandhill crane

I flew among the Paiutes before the Mormon rain,

I was in Virginia City for the stringing up of Clubfoot Lane

But I’ve never seen anything like you.”

All untied, by and by!

But I’d pour the matrimony wine

All untied, by and by!

so if you’re ever so inclined…”

[WALRUS:]

“What from the air now calls to water on the land?

What from my seclusion does this charlatan demand?

What to do now with my best-laid eremetic plans?

I’ve been to the Arfaks where the Sicklebills fly,

seen Tangier’s acrobatics nine stories high

I was there at Appomattox back in ’65 when the General arrived

But I’ve never been in this room before!

[aside] All untied, by and by!

that same old dream’s trapped in my mind

I’m bound in ropes and on the firing line

well, I wake up disappointed every time

[to OWL]: If the weather ever withers up your vine

Jacob knows a ladder you can climb

If that old thorn is still buried in your side,

Jacob knows a ladder you can climb…”

[OWL:]

“Well, if your pacific rivers all run dry

their clouds will fill my loud, corrupted sky

And if the pleasures of your heavens (should) ever end

That very ladder just as well descends!”