The Call!
By: Gary R. Akin
Every year as the days grow
shorter
and the first nip of winter
is felt in the night air.
A transformation takes place
in the souls of the men
As an Adirondack Camp starts
to pull them back there.
For months and months this
cabin is a quiet spot,
just four walls and a tin roof tucked back in the
trees.
Not a sound can be heard
from this gathering place
But, the call starts when
leaves float down in the breeze.
The men, all can feel it,
the 'Season' is near
'Camp' is calling,.. waiting
with anticipation.
The group is coming and will
be here soon
It'll be a helluva "First
Night" celebration.
The summer winds down and
the nights get cooler.
Finally we get the first
frost of the fall.
That's It! That's just what
was needed!
Now the whole gang has all
heard 'The Call'!
"C'mon Back Boys!"
because my deck is ready
and the sun will be setting
pretty soon".
"It's time for a beer
and a good cigar"
"It's time to holler at
the Hunter's Moon!"
"Then come on inside
for a few games of darts,
throw some logs in the stove
like you always do…
When I'm filled with smoke
and you're drenched in sweat,
Head back out to the deck
and drain another can of brew!"
The cast who heed this call from
year to year
is the same, though they don't share the same first night.
But when each lugs their
gear up the narrow trail
They think, "Next year,
I think I'll pack light!"
We've got Fred with his pack
stand which he's never used,
He just leaves it leaning
against the cabin wall.
And Wally with lasagna that
doesn't last too long
We're damn thankful that
moose did fall.
Kenny brings his bottle and
the latest gadget
which is "Guaranteed"
to improve his odds.
Wally's girlfriend, 'Cat',
whose dog "Nikca" is missed.
And Wayne, The Best Shooter?…
Just ask him and he nods!
But the list isn't done
we've got the Grumpy Old Men,
A bottom bunk is reserved
for both each year.
Between Uncle Don's, bad
knees, and, Pop's arthritis
You climb 'UP' or you'll end
up on your … rear!
Then there's Rich who put
the first buck on the new game pole.
Who as he pounds 'em claims
he's "Superman".
Chester's got the beer
running off his chin
'Cause someone, (who me?) poked
a tiny hole in his beer can!
Gary's the one that owns
this camp.
He always sleeps on the
couch by the door.
There's just no way he'd get
any rest sleeping in the back
When the others drink,..
they all fart and SNORE!
Yeah, the first night at the
camp is just about the best.
You see the boys you haven't
seen since late last year.
It's a grand reunion, one
helluva party,…
After that,… Well, its all about the DEER!