Elk Jerky and Beans by Littlewing1957
Okay, a few things: as you can probably tell, this poem was written for a youngster. My daughter's friend received some elk jerky for her birthday (seriously) and promised to give me some if I either 1) write a BBM story just for her 2) write an "epic" BBM poem just for her. I chose to write an "epic" poem. I'm posting this here in an effort to cheer up Dagi and Susiebaby, my dear friends. Please forgive me if this poem seems out of place. Toycoon, if you feel that Elk jerky and Beans does not belong here, don't hesitate to tell me, and I'll remove it. Dagi, SusieBaby, this one is for you. Oh, it is also for Allie, Maria's friend. I'm waiting for my elk Jerky! “No more beans!” Yelled Jack Twist
The meaning of the statement was not missed
By his partner, a one Ennis Del Mar,
Who watched as Jack rode to the mountain far.
Ennis was assigned the task
Of collecting food from the Basque.
It was simple fare: beans, milk, perhaps some stew,
Biscuits, peaches, a few cans of brew.
Friday, and Ennis hiked to the appointed place
And waited without a smile on his face, as
The Basque would surely ask what it means
To read a list that didn’t include beans.
“I thought you don’t eat soup?”
Observed the weary Basque
It was right there on the list:
Soup was added last!
“Well, I’m tired of beans!”
But Ennis knew that wasn’t true!
He needed something special for Jack;
Beans would no longer do.
The Basque packed the food with his usual flair
And Ennis was glad to get outta there!
He had a long way to go over fields, across a brook
To make it back to camp and cook.
But on the way, crossing a stream,
He happened across a bear, whose scream
Spooked his mule, that reared up and back,
Spilling the provisions from the pack!
Meanwhile, a hungry and irritable Jack
Rode into camp and rubbed his back
His ride from brokeback was rough – he was beat!
He wanted to relax, he needed to eat.
But Ennis Del Mar was nowhere in sight!
Jack paced the camp until night
Woodland creatures began to scurry.
Where was Ennis? Jack began to worry.
Ennis salvaged as much food as he could
But actually, it was not much good.
He had so little left in the pack.
Nothing else to do but go face Jack.
Jack rose when he saw Ennis pass by,
Without a word, not even a “Hi!”
So happy was Jack to see his friend,
All he could utter was “Where have you been?”
Ennis told Jack all about the bear
The Basque, the mule, and its awful scare,
The trail of food down by the creek
That their prospects for food seemed rather bleak.
“Why don’t we shoot one of the sheep?”
It was Jack Twist, his voice timid and deep.
Ennis said “forget it!” right then and there.
But Jack was hungry and didn’t care.
Around about noon Ennis focused the rifle straight
And aimed at an elk who didn’t realize its fate
Was to end up in pieces, meat hanging from trees
To feed the one who Ennis sought to please.
Elk Jerky and short ribs, leftover bread
Whiskey on shares! Jack was well fed.
Ennis wasn’t satisfied, and you know what that means?
He had some elk jerky
and a can of beans!