the campfire crackle,
at day’s end,
is as peaceful as a lullaby
the woods sigh,
in leafy yawns
and cricket chirps
and frog pond croaks
and, from the lake,
the shushing waves
and wistful call of the loon
floats
gentle – round
the lantern moon.
and we – weary –
from the fun, of hours
hiking and swimming
in the sun
dabble
in dreamy, half whispered
“Kumbaya’s”
and feast,
on the divine
ambrosia
of wieners and marshmallows
“HOT”
off a pointed stick.
notes: The prompt from Poetry Jam this week, is "Food".
“Kumbaya,
My Lord” means “Come by Here, Lord” in Gullah – an English-based Creole
language. It is a song of friendship and
peace and is often sung at summer camps.
In ancient Greek mythology, “ambrosia” is the food and
drink of the Greek gods (or demigods).
In the Homeric tradition it is brought to Olympus by doves and is
thought of as a kind of divine exhalation of the Earth.
photo: End of Day
Around the Campfire – B. Bourke
©
2014 Wendy Bourke
Wendy, I hear you with this poem. Really, I think that even I would enjoy those wieners (which I generally don't eat - ha) around the campfire at day's end. Seems only fitting really, as does the singing of "Kumbaya." Really liked your poem as well as your photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. I love the lake - as in cottage. All four of my children, however, absolutely relish sleeping one thin tent flap away from things that go bump in the night. I forced myself, over the years, to be a "sport" and camp with them in the great outdoors. But, at long last, they are now of an age when they can head out on their own and so, finally, I can sleep indoors when we go off on our yearly family camping trip. A bed with sheets - heaven. The photo was taken by my daughter on one of her "sleeping under the stars" outings. It is beautiful, isn't it.
DeleteWendy, your poem reminded me of being at camp when I was a brownie or a guide. You are right, at the end of a full day out, the most simple food tastes like ambrosia. I remember a dish of pasta after hiking in the Alps which simply was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, Gabriella. Food at the end of an active day, camping in sunshine is the best food of all. Really, canned beans never tasted so g-o-o-d!!!
Deletesomething you probably dont know about me as i havent talked about it for a while...i live outdoors for a year...i took a group of inner city boys that were one step from jail and we lived in the woods of North Carolina...counseling...living...ate every meal that year over a campfire...was amazing....
ReplyDeleteThat's incredible, Brian. I know four adventurers that would have, cheerfully, joined in. (One of my sons is leading a team of students in Africa this spring building houses.) I'm just blow away by the commitment of people who go above and beyond (frankly anything I ever would have imagined in my younger years - to say nothing of now) and are just rewriting the book on commitment to social issues and making the world a better place. To all of you - It's a lovely thing.
DeleteBeautiful take Wendy! Reminds me of my teenage years. Was in military school (15-20 yrs) We used to have weekend camps at nearby sites. During school vacations we went for a 2 week annual camp further away (during alternate years for those not having major exams) We put to good use our map-reading and jungle tracking knowledge during a 3 day expedition within the 2 weeks Other school boys could only dream of what we did). It was fun time. And you brought back the memories, Ma'am! Thanks
ReplyDeleteHank
Camping is so special - a memory, really, that sticks with you throughout your life.
DeleteOh what an atmosphere you've created here ... can practically smell the hotdogs and wood smoke!
ReplyDeletea beautiful sketch of outdoor life with taste of ambrosia...and 'the woods sigh / in leafy yawn'...love this
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan and Sumana. It's always nice to hear that someone has connected with a bit of one's writing.
DeleteThere is something just awesome about a campfire. The crackle, the smell, the ambience, the food... We dug a fire pit in our backyard a couple of years ago, it's fun, but having a fire out by a lake is the best! Great capture of a wonderful experience Wendy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer. Always love hearing from you.
ReplyDeleteCampfires and sausages, reminds me of my youth and going on mid night treks with the Boy Scouts. You paint a vibrant picture and a lovely mood.
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be the case for a number of people: camping reminding them of their youth - myself included. Great memories!
ReplyDeleteIn reading this, I felt myself there, eating divine ambrosia of wieners and marshmallows. Enjoyed it! Lovely photo too, as always. Where was it taken?
ReplyDeleteWell, the photo, as I mentioned, was taken by my daughter at a lake somewhere in the BC southern interior - though she is such an avid camper I doubt very much if she could recall the name. Glad you enjoyed it, Janet.
ReplyDeleteI could never just roast a marshmallow until it was golden. I love to shove it in a flame and set it on fire. Then blow it out and pop it in my mouth! Love that charred taste! Your poem makes me want to bring on summer and stay at the beach all day to roast hot dogs and marshmallows on sticks!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm with you, Donna. I just love to set that marshmallow aflame like a blazing orb and blow it out and then . . . HOT . . . HOT . . . HOT ! ! ! pop it in my mouth. Charred mellow - YUM! Talk about living on the edge!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful atmosphere in your poem. As Epicurus says, it is not the food we enjoy most at our table but the company...
ReplyDelete