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The Mountain Man

I live alone on the mountaintop,

in a hut made of branches and dirt.

I never brush my hair anymore,

and I never wash my shirt.

 

There's nothing to keep me company here

but birds and trees and sky;

I've gotta say, though, I think it's grand

to let city life pass me by.

 

How did I end up on the mountaintop?

Well, my story's a little bit weird:

I, when I was young, had a phobia,

it was homework and tests that I feared.

 

To wake up to a school day would give me the sweats,

the mere thought of it filled me with dread;

when they expect me to prove that I'm learning

I would much rather stay in my bed.

 

So I never, ever did homework,

my blank tests made my teachers so mad

but nobody could coax me or force me,

not even my mom or my dad!

 

I seem to remember a book report

which for me was the very last straw;

read, write, memorize and perform in a week?

it should be against the law!

 

So I planned an escape from my schoolwork,

had to leave friends and family behind;

but I had to stop off at the library first

to see what books on survival I'd find.

 

Well, I found books on camping and wildlife

and I got me a suitable tome,

but I knew that book-stealing was risky

in the end I would leave it at home.

 

So I secretly worked every night of that week

writing notes about mushrooms and shrubs,

and I wrote up a way to remember my tricks

on shelters, potatoes and grubs.

 

All too soon the day came, and I ran away

I left cards that said "Don't look for me"

I clutched at my notes and recited my words,

this was it, I was finally free!

 

Of course, all of that was just ages ago

I've been happy, a hermit for years

though it's not what I should, I've become very good

at running away from my fears!

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Written by
amber-rosborough
Canadian
Published
Jun 9, 2013
Lines·Words
44·342
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