"Yes!", it had not been a dream,
_from valley floor, smoke arose.
Nearby, I found a small spring,
_drank, then off to where, who knows.
Walking along valley rim,
_finding trail, that downward goes.

The way was steep, and quite slow,
_carefully I picked my way.
Breaking from dense growth to light,
_about half way down, I'd say.
Guessing three hours to there,
_valley floor I'd make that day.

Luck was still with me, this time,
_ahead, a small waterfall.
The day was getting quite hot,
_the cool water, did soothe all.
Though on my way, I must be,
_to make floor by lights last call.

Entering lush growth again,
_steep gave way to gentle grade.
Soon giving to flat of floor,
_valley, I had finally made.
I tried to keep course in head,
_that which, above I had laid.

Though it would be difficult,
_under forest canopy.
From above, it hid this well,
_that, which I now stand and see.
With light still left, I moved on,
_such beauty surrounded me.

As I walked, birds flew about,
_small creatures, moved with a blur.
Coming upon a small stream,
_and darkness coming for sure.
I would make this my nights stop,
_still wondering who they were.

I watched my fire burn low,
_as I pondered the next day.
When it suddenly hit me,
_"three days with no food!", I'd say.
Though the thing that is so strange,
_is hunger, came not my way.

Sleep soon came and claimed my thoughts,
_sending me to dreams surreal.
Dreams of strange, wonderous things,
_and of people, all so real.
Morning light, then interrupts,
_I woke with vigor and zeal.

I jump into the stream's pool,
_it's magic waters renew.
Then following streams slow course,
_it seems, for a mile or two.
Where it met and mingled with,
_a river so dark, dark blue.

I paused to rest on large stone,
_at river edge, I scanned all.
The river, being wide here,
_gave good view of mountain wall.
I searched for where I had came,
_though impossible to call.

the story continues with
part III....A New Friend

440S.
2000