Can the Poem Be Solved Before You Leave

Yes!

The poem can be solved before you leave to go to the treasure!

Hints Fenn Drops

Since I started trying to solve the poem, I've looked to identify patterns in what Fenn writes and says, and he frequently says the same things, again and again; as if making a point because he knows no one understood what he's been trying to say.

One of my favorite hints is his use of the word quarter - never underestimate the power of a quarter!  

Now ask yourself, why does he repeatedly bring a "quarter" into play?

A physical quarter, twenty-five cents, 25, 25%, a coin toss, 50/50, one quarter of something, 25/100, portion, or something else?

Quarter?  To quarter is to house, it can also mean an area (for example "the Latin quarter" in a city), and let's not forget it can also mean to cut into four pieces.

Fenn also brings up time a lot.  Is a quarter then 15 minutes after the hour?  Is it 25 years, a quarter century?  

Or is he bringing up the concept of forgiveness or grace?

Identifying which is correct isn't possible when you're starting the solve; what is possible is to look at the options, then keep them in mind as you're working on the solve - so that when something does "fit" you can then play with that concept within the framework of that piece of the poem.

The Set-Up

In The Thrill of the Chase, Fenn introduces us to the poem we are to follow to find the treasure; he sets the poem up with a lead-in sentence that ends with a colon.

What normally follows a colon?  A list.

How is that list usually formatted?  Bullet points.

So I wrote a poem containing nine clues that if followed precisely, will lead to the end of my rainbow and the treasure:

• As I have gone alone in there And with my treasures bold, I can keep my secret where, And hint of riches new and old.
• Begin it where warm waters halt And take it in the canyon down, Not far, but too far to walk.
• Put in below the home of Brown.
• From there it’s no place for the meek, The end is ever drawing nigh; There’ll be no paddle up your creek, Just heavy loads and water high.
• If you’ve been wise and found the blaze, Look quickly down, your quest to cease, But tarry scant with marvel gaze, Just take the chest and go in peace.
• So why is it that I must go And leave my trove for all to seek?
• The answers I already know, I’ve done it tired, and now I’m weak.
• So hear me all and listen good, Your effort will be worth the cold.
• If you are brave and in the wood I give you title to the gold.

Long Time No See

Life got in the way, so I haven't posted in quite a while!

After having to set aside the chase, I returned to the poem a few weeks ago to tease out any issues with my solve and still believe I have solved it correctly.  What I didn't know was that I was missing a critical piece of the puzzle and it is with that, that the poem literally is unlocked to reveal where you need to go and why!

It is very exciting!  But, there is the chance that I'm wrong - I'm not sure at this point how it is possible that what I have uncovered is wrong, but it does remain a possibility.

Between now and when we head to our area, I'm going to start to slowly reveal the poem and its hidden elements; if it turns out I'm wrong, then it's one more incorrect solve, but if it is correct, I'll have the treasure and you'll have the solve!