By HE Dena de MorteMer
(First Published in TRUMPETER VOL 18, issue 5, In answer to Ld Germanicus’ A TOAST TO SLAVES)
Here’s to high adventure
Bright treasure, bold and daring deeds;
And health to man who endlessly pursues the golden path he needs.
Pushed and driven down a lonely road by fear, or love or greed,
While I sit and rock a tiny girl asleep upon my knees.
Chained to the soil, I guide my plow in furrows straight and long.
I toil to feed the ones I love, those who keep me strong.
Behind me walks a sturdy lad and I my tracks he strides,
“I’ll grow up just like you” he states with joyful pride.
Yet sometimes in dreams I long to feel the wind upon my face
And know the waves beneath me bear me from place to place,
Where labors are different from day to day and worry is far behind,
And seek bright fortunes promising glory I’ll claim for mine.
Yes, toil and trouble, I have my share, and worry upon my head.
As I lie on feathered pillow, my love warm beside me in bed,
I wonder who is right. My love whispers and turns to me. We kiss.
And with each bright dawning comes and adventure I would not care to
miss.