Survivor

My dad
when just a lad

went Outward Bound
with other boys.

In those days,
it was hard core.

One month—
an island—
your wits.

My dad, not a joiner
but tall, outdoorsy, clever

was their leader—
built a gun.

Such tales echo
in the family mythology,
reverberate

will do
till I’m gone, too.

With thanks to @promptsbyjasmine, Rob Dunk, Beck Wolski