Shannon

From the opening of SHANNON, an epic poem examining one man-s experience of the Lewis and Clarke expedition: It is a fine & open country in every aspect hereabouts. The very prairie, grasslands, thickets Or brakes along the several streams with elk & deer largely therein. Of those legendary buffalo first sighted& shot by J. Fields this week, alas None discovered by me as yet this day or last Whilst tracking runaway horses.Those two did flee as if unwilling ever to be caught But I came upon them at evening yesterday Drinking water in a sandy draw Well-trampled by hoof-marks dark as bruises Sure evidence of buffalo in great plenty.In the event the fugitives appeared Not unhappy at sight of me. Found their hobble ropes trailing Which I did retie forcefully Pleased as I am by this outcome.It was my hope to recover these horses & so demonstrate my worth In such regard to the Capts. generally-I do not misdoubt them, only certain statements Overheard among the company concerning My youth & stature as a hunter, which I deem false. Last time I did kill an elk buck yet R. Fields Brought in five deer to top it. So it was I importuned the Capts. to set me this errand Those Fields Brothers having done so Previously, nor did I aim to disappoint them.Why should youth count against a man In this Missouri country? Eighteen & years in the backwoods I am a better hunter than most back home & this a newer land Nor Capt. Lewis nor Clark Hoary grey beards Yet Pres. Jefferson saw fit to appoint them Command of this Expedition. Well It is done & the horses recovered at any rate By myself alone.