Negligence Killed the Teenager

That’s Sol Duc waterfall,

a fascinating place,

in the deep rainforest

of the Pacific Northwest.

I remember the trek under

the maple forest canopy

to the popular Fall,

and watching it cascade,

gushing, furiously,

over the moss-covered,

slippery boulders.

A place may be serene,

but for the negligent

it can be a death trap,

a small mistake,

it can be fatal mishap.

Unfortunately,

that’s what happened

last month,

as a teenager fell

50-foot from the Fall,

and despite youth,

the rough terrain,

swift current

was too formidable

to survive.

After days of search efforts,

rangers found the corpse.

So always be mindful,

nature is dangerous,

not to be taken for granted.

Know the limits,

of human body and mind,

be vigilant, always.