Closer to the Fire

A summer, long ago
a different sleepover,
out under the stars, in
the Berkshire woods
when summer camp
meant the YMCA
We arrived late,
what a surprise,
my age group
already at the campsite,
long past dusk
find a spot to roll the sleeping bag
on the ground, look for roots,
for rocks underneath
see the sparks of the campfire
yards off, spiraling upward
toward the white pines above
creating strange orange silhouettes
in the June air
Nearer to the overflowing trash can
than the fire pit, a few of us stragglers
A sudden rustling nearby, freeze
for the family of skunks
were out for a snack
lay still in the sleeping bags
boys, for we dread a mistake
made more real
this far from the fire

September 23, 2006 21:22


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 18,840+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.