Locked In

***

Locked in from Fall to Spring

By Winter's icy grasp

An Arctic night and a wind so chill

It seems to make you gasp.

***

But never shrinking from the cold

That can snap the strongest steel

Overcoming winter's wrath and fury

In a season that can cause oil to congeal.

***

Tis the land that tests the best

To see if you've got the grit

It tests, teases, mocks you

To see if you're worth a shit.

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And once you pass the test

And after you make the grade

The land delivers up it's bounty

That is how you're paid.

***

Ranger Bill Harrington