Stranded Poem by George Hunter

I was stranded on a desert isle
And knew I'd be there for a while.
All in all, my greatest need,
I had no books, nothing to read.
Had no tapes or audiocassettes,
Used up my Bible rollin' cigarettes.

I even prayed to our dear Lord.
To keep me from going outta my gourd.
One day a voice came out of the blue
Saying, 'This is what I'll do for you.
If, when you get back, you'll lay offa the booze,
I'll send you five books, any ones you choose.'

So I made the vow, probably a lie
But I was desperate, anything I'd try.
I said, 'The following five will sure suffice
If I have to stay here the rest of my life.'

For philosophy, I'll choose old Omar Khayyam,
For adventure, Kipling would be my man.
Bob Service for wanderlust, stories in rhyme
And Joseph Conrad for sea tales, any old time.
And if for plays and sonnets, which I know I'll be cravin'
I'd have to choose the Bard of Avon.

These guys you can read over and over again
And they will become your lifelong friend.
Then I settled back and tried to be brave
Because I knew these books my life would save.

One morning the five were piled up on the shore
Who could ask for anything more?
I started reading, to get out of my rut
And continued eating the coconut,
And, if I ever get back to old Montana,
I hope to God I never see another banana!