Brian’sPoems

The Herpetologist

There’s a scientific discipline
called herpetology,
and the practitioners of it
are herpetologists.
It has something to do
with amphibians and reptiles.

A few years ago my path crossed,
and then joined for a while,
with the path of a park ranger.
He was a tall Texan,
had blue eyes, two first names,
flew helicopters in Vietnam,
and possessed a moral backbone
as reliable as an atomic clock.

With his good looks and pleasant manner
he could’ve led an easy life,
been at the center of any big city.
Instead he took his interest
toward things that live in the mud
and move along the ground,
turning it into a career
helping and educating others.

During our journey together
he didn’t say very much
about the snakes and the dinosaurs.
Though he did offer me the space
to become a better man,
along with the patience
to experience time like the desert does.

Guided by his wisdom,
I became closer to my own ground.