Unmarked and dug in Time Itself, lost graves of long ago
In high-up hidden valleys where hush and lupine grow;
In slowly sculpted lowlands where nameless rivers flow.

Each took a hand and played a game he thought he knew about
The cave man and the native, the pioneer and scout;
The miner and the cowboy who sought the country out.

While even weather tooks its toll, an ace in Nature's paw
Some fell beneath the weight of years and more to fang or claw;
Misfortune, perhaps, mishap or mistake- all fatal cards to draw.

Denied a graven headstone and robbed of all he planned
Each long forgotten nameless one devoured by the land;
Lost betting more on fickle fate than any poker hand.

Or was he maybe winning, each tombless taken dead
Unbound by any fences, resting free instead;
With Nature fetching flowers and mountains at his head?