Hermit House

~ Hazel, Wa. ~

Hermit House © Ken James McLeod

There, beyond the trail, in the cleft of the hardwood forest

stood a hand-hewn cedar cabin.

What a grand little dwelling I thought as I brushed away the ferns

on the path enroute to it.

A note on the door said:

"Eat my grub, use my firewood,

and leave my place as you found it."

In the corner was a wood burning stove,

near the window was a sink with gravity running water,

across the room was wood bunk,

and above was a sleeping loft.

The only neighbors here are the wildlife of the wood . . .

note: it is believed the old cabin was built in the 1940s and it stood for decades, used alot by a woodsman named Walt Hass and by those who happened upon it. Good fortune would have it, I discovered it while ruffed grouse hunting in the hardwoods near Oso, Wa. during the 1960s. Subsequently, my friends and I enjoyed it for many years and stayed in it overnight countless times. It was indeed a treasure and I do not ever recall meeting anyone else at the place. Sadly, one particular year it was found burnt to the ground, but the fond memories remain . . .

KJM

(McPilchuck)

Oct. 1976

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