The Donner Party

The similarities in situation between the Donner Party and the

Colonial Pilgrims is both appalling, frightening, and incomplete

In both cases you will find, one, a fairly large group of ill-

Prepared greenhorns pitting themselves against nature and each other

Two, an insufficient willingness to endure

The very real hardships of frontiering

And three, coincidental misfortune at every turn

Number three, coincidental misfortune at every turn

The disasters of both camps were initially brought about by

Departure delay-inducing inertia, which caused our heroes to

Begin their journeys at absolutely retarded times weather-wise

If fantasy is the refuge of the frightened man and a

Castle in the air is safe harbor for a foolish few, just

Imagine living in a hut buried twelve feet below the snow

Where the sight and smell of the scattered carcasses of loved

Ones at your feet is the lay of the land, just another day

I would like to propose that cannibalism was indeed rampant

Among America's earliest settlers, the Pilgrims (Huh?)

The Pilgrims

For what does settler imply, if not the willingness to settle?

To settle for a meal of human flesh, if my

Thoughts on the subject are to be believed

In conclusion, spread the word of this

Look to the night sky and hark back to our forefathers'

Shortcomings, and your own, as you cut your meat

And lay the groundwork for a new tomorrow