Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LOST ON THE PRAIRIE, by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL Poet's Biography First Line: In one of the states of america, some years ago Last Line: Because he saved them from being lost on the wild prairie. Subject(s): Heroism; Storms; Survival; Heroes; Heroines | ||||||||
In one of the States of America, some years ago, There suddenly came on a violent storm of snow, Which was nearly the death of a party of workmen, Who had finished their day's worknine or ten of them. The distance was nearly twenty miles to their camp, And with the thick falling snow their clothes felt damp, As they set out for their camp, which was in a large grove, And to reach it, manfully against the storm they strove. The wind blew very hard, and the snow was falling fast, Still, they plodded on, but felt a little downcast, And the snow fell so fast they could scarcely see, And they began to think they were lost on the wild prairie. And they suddenly noticed marks of footsteps in the snow, Which they found were their own tracks, as onward they did go, Then they knew they were lost on the great prairie, And what could they do in such a fearful extremity? Then their hearts began to sink with woe, In dread of having to pass the night in the snow, And they cried, "Oh, God! help us to find our way, Or else we are lost on the lonely prairie." And while they stood shivering with the cold, One of the party a particular horse did behold, Which was known by the name of Old Jack, So to take off his bridle they were not slack. When the horse was let free he threw up his head and tail, Which seemed to say, "Follow me, and ye will not fail. So come on, boys, and follow me, And I'll guide ye home safely." And they cried, "Old Jack can show us the way, So let's follow his tracks without dismay"; And with the falling snow they were chilled to the bone, But the horse seemed to say, "I'll show ye home." And at last they gave a shout of delight When they saw their camp fire burning bright, Which was to them a cheerful sight, And they caressed Old Jack for guiding them home that night. And they felt thankful to God for their safety, And they danced around Old Jack with their hearts full of glee, And Old Jack became a favourite from that day, Because he saved them from being lost on the wild prairie. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CONFESSION OF ST. JIM-RALPH by DENIS JOHNSON NOTES FOR AN ELEGY by WILLIAM MEREDITH THE EROTICS OF HISTORY by EAVAN BOLAND A SONG FOR HEROES by EDWIN MARKHAM AFTER THE BROKEN ARM by RON PADGETT PRELUDE; FOR GEOFFREY GORER by EDITH SITWELL EXAMINATION OF THE HERO IN A TIME OF WAR by WALLACE STEVENS THE TAY BRIDGE DISEASTER by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL |
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