Trouble Comes to Dry Gulch

• In response to the 4th prompt on the newly re-opened Writer’s Island, I introduce you to my imaginary childhood friend. In the heart of a terrified young boy, he was more than real…




Trouble Comes to Dry Gulch

•

you were my truest friend
my steady rock of safety
my captain of escape
you were always there

the amazing man of magic
the hero of the weak
defender of the helpless
my always gentle friend

when the footsteps in the hall
woke me in the night
I would feel you tug my hand
and under we would go

through the secret passage
you kept beneath my bed
to the waiting viking ships
and off to fight the dragons

in the land of snow and castles
carved from clear blue ice
in our robes of fur
we struck with swords of gold

you were very brave
in the face of fear
I knew you would appear
never laughing at my tears

when the grating metal rasp
of door latch in the dark
would bolt me from my sleep
you would have the horses ready

we would thunder off to dry gulch
to wrangle up our posse
save the townfolk from the bad guys
and return when all was calm

you were very swift
in a snap you would arrive
in time to get me out alive
helping me survive

below the ocean we would dive
in your crystal submarine
down to the coral world
marveling at the creatures

we would leave the sub
to swim among the wonders
to dart and spin and float
far from pain and worry

you were very smart
my midnight flight arranger
to rocket us from danger
far from the evil stranger

we would soar to venus
in your silver ship
or to some distant star
and do battle with space monsters

and when they all were slain
we would fly the milky way
circle all the planets
thankful to be weightless

no matter how afraid
I knew that you would find me
knew you’d never judge me
I knew how much you loved me

knew you’d have me back by day break
with the dark night far behind us
and the warmth of welcomed sun
would once again embrace us

the midnight footsteps now are quiet
the ships and rockets sailed away
no more trouble comes to dry gulch
the crystal sub now long in dry dock

I’m not sure I ever thanked you
perhaps took your love for granted
without you I’d never have made it
I never will forget you

• • •

rob kistner © 2010


18 thoughts on “Trouble Comes to Dry Gulch”

  1. I love the voice of the young Rob, and the adventures are wonderfully recounted. Great rhythm, too.
    Do you need a “have” in th penultimate line?
    There, I’m at it again.

  2. Sorry, Rob, I can’t help myself! Four years of online courses where the students were required to critique, proofread and edit each others’ work is hard to shake off. One of my ex tutor-group colleagues does the same for me on here, but has the grace to do it by email!

    Your poem is my favourite so far on this theme.
    ViV

  3. Hi Rob — what a great poem, a tribute to your protector and friend. The crystal sub was my favorite, but I think my brothers would have joined you out in the wild west…they would have worn their Daniel Boone hats.

  4. There was something so poignant, nostalgic and magic about this poem. And that picture.

    You can never have a friend like that again because you will never be as trusting and innocent as then.

    This was lovely.

  5. I enjoyed that. Bought back all sorts of memories for me of childhood fantasies. I had a silky when the tigers hid under my bed and in my wardrobe, and they were so real.

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