This lighthouse sees us to port. 
We debark our massive ship and walk
to the little town that made it big. 

Hundreds 
from the east, south, and north 
of Skagway comes 
to find the elusive gold.  

The hills are full of it someone said. 
And the rush was on.
These seekers 
of fame and fortune also brought 
in another kind 
of money
the prostitutes and settlers.

Over the massive mountains 
down through the steep 
narrow valleys everything 
on four to six mules 
or horses could pull. Some their musical 
instruments, other guns, 
and ammunition enough to kill each other.  

The icy winds of Canada followed them 
and Alaska tales 
of animals bigger than the man himself.
The bull moose  
with widespread horn 
bigger than anything 
back home. 
Run, someone said.