A Fantasy on Lascaux

Found a Cave

We found a cave
Well maybe some credit
to the dog

He was chasing a rabbit
Fell in
Barked and barked

We came to his rescue
Deep hole
Ran home to the tool shed

Came back with rope
Tied one end to a tree
Got the dog out

While in the pit
Noticed it ran off
Into pitch black

Sprinted home again
For a lantern
This time

Caves are like Halloween
Night minus
Moon and stars

We crawled then
Walked
Crawled on our knees

Do you know the smell
Of kerosene lit
Dank dirt?

Imagine trick or treat
After midnight
No one comes to the door

We pass through
What we later call
Galleries

Stone chambers
Convoluted
Contorted walls

Here and there
Marks that
Seem animal-like

Might be depictions
Of creatures
Yet lack frames

Silly scratches
And smears of pigment
Upon the rough surface

We go back to
The shed returning
With chisels and hammers

With great effort
We plumb the walls
Make a fine wine cellar

Painted the walls mint green
Maybe put up some
Framed print

(referencing the discovery of Lascaux)


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