Insouciant Man

He goes about his daily business of forestry
and lights a cigaret while walking,
flicking the match while looking at trees.
Lichen covers parts of the well-worn path,
He does nothing but continue puffing and smoking.

The forest is not an ashtray for anyone else,
yet he snuffs out the butt with his shoe
and leaves it on the ground as his chest swells
with pride that he's made his rounds
and can go back and unload the canoe.

He handles it with ease and takes a trail
with signs that say “danger ahead.”
The rocks are rough and he almost fails
to take the turn on the path but catches himself
before he can fall and hurt his head.

Reaching the end of the path at water's edge,
he wipes his brow of sweat.
Jumping in the boat after his boot got caught on the ledge,
He paddles slowing away from the dock
then looks down to see the hole in the boat; he's getting wet.

He has no life jacket to wear
and he never learned to swim.
The canoe starts to sink and folks on land hear him swear.
Unfortunately, that's when he learns a harsh lesson:
Be cautious and never go out on a limb.

© 2007 George E Thompson