I write in a way which I see is best sought; a poem I bring and have brought to you now.

A story loud! profound! and definitely not on the ground.  

A long river, a thousand islands, a lost boy scout group, and a bunch of alligators.

I was age 14 like the crew carrying a light, black cheap android phone that has been in the washer twice, and reflective blanket.

A boy scout is prepared I am aware.

We headed off paddles lifting and sometimes drifting.

Alligators around we continued as they dont mind our presence, our current essence.

Talking about all sorts of things seeing flora and fauna spring.

Giant “mountains” to a florida man- lush green bands.

Twists and turns the everglades talks, we construe our vision which is not as locked.

GPS drowned soaked and broke. Map not aligned --- a pretty terrible sign.

Lost around 5:00 PM, light begins to go down a couple of hours from this time.

Look around map unaligned GPS soaked 1,000 islands found, alligator eyes searching around. We sit sometimes peeing on canoe from the side of the ship.

Everyone looked at their phones, signal lost, signal unknown… A moment…. we freak out we want to sneak out somehow.

I pull my phone--- out one signal found, I speak out loud “I have one bar” though my power on it is subpar.

“ be prepared” plays in my head why did I use my phone till it was dead?

The same phone plan is used by my family! comes to my head, my heavy head losses its dread. My mom and bro have the same phones, the batteries the same, and their batteries become loaned.

Screaming loudly seemed the best option as I phoned 911 as most of the group continuously moaned.

Mission impossible dusk and dark I use my light, scout leaders hold the blanket to encourage sight.

Alligators seem around with loud splashing sounds in the background.

Mosquitos were aware of our presence and wanted our blood so they dug through our clothing making us itch and grunt.

I was speedy fast getting information amassed.

 

The other scout leader stayed behind just in case something happened on the dime.

When it became late he became unsure if our presence was near, it was not, and action was clear.

A crab fisherman was the answer, he talked to him and got a deal to find us on his wind boat. Achieved they decided to make their leave.

The trusty steed looked around screaming loud, looking looking nobody found.

Hours gone by not a person in sight, not even our shining light.

Back to the plight eaten by mosquitoes fortunately no gators actually in sight.

Late at night 10pm passes by, the thought of creating a platoon and staying overnight “Why not give it a try?” says a scout getting eaten by flies.

This entails us putting canoes on one another into a tent like structure, overnight with hope of no disruptor.

10:30pm I told the crew, “the police are coming” pinpointed us and now that boat started running.

11:00 came, bug bitten, text continuously emitted.

Tired souls we shine the light off the reflective blanket to catch the boats sight.

Waves came about faster pounced us with a little might.

We screamed ,a joyous group, pooped from the day expending energy feeling simply just okay. Taking some of what we needed jumped on the boat where we were seated.

Trying not to fall asleep, the beauty of the night and mist felt a marvelous dream.

Once coming back our land Crew Leads, arms to his hips looked at the group and said , “put up your tents”.

My brother and I put up our tent in our current mess a feel of pigsty.

Almost falling asleep on the tent, the most tired I have been a day I felt so unpresent.

The almighty words we say in scouts “be prepared” rang about.

A sturdy simple cheap phone washed in the washer makes a world of difference while the expensive ones faltered.

So many issues could have occurred that night, but  with delight I brought what I needed from my own insight.

Possibility of preparation next time would not have been such a crime.

Little things could have changed within our grip, but what adventure would I be talking about? Just a simple canoe trip.