We set off at dawn with a spring in our step,
immediately climbing, it felt quite a schlep.
Our party of four had been planning for weeks;
two were explorers, the other two geeks.
The legendary Rio de Oro we sought,
we knew that our search for its source would be fraught.
With ropes and belays to assist our ascent
we inched our way upward with dogged intent.
At last we achieved the green plateau atop,
gasped at the waterfall’s sheer plunging drop.
We followed the river away from the cliff,
now feeling hopeful, though weary and stiff.
Jack spied a tributary off to the left
flowing apace through a narrow rock cleft.
He said, “this looks just like the spot I was told
where Rio de Plata transmutes into gold.”
We stumbled and fumbled ‘cross treacherous ground,
squeezed through the needle’s eye, looked all around.
A lush verdant valley bedazzled our eyes,
the river beneath us a gilded surprise.
Mark pointed ahead, “fellow spring hunters, look!
The source of this stream is that bubbling brook.”
Elated, our tiredness faded away.
We drove ourselves forwards, I heard myself say:
“This underground spring spews its water, pure gold,
rewarding adventurers, like us, so bold.
Don’t settle for snuggling into your nest,
hope springs eternal in each human breast.
My friends we've discovered a wonderful thing.
Spouting gold water can be our lifespring."
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