Monday, June 6, 2011

How I Spent


Stream-side cabins
twenty-five dollars a night
but then:

Smoke in the mountains
road signs resembling snakes
(curves ahead) (only curves ahead)
my father shifts to low.
Cool blanket evenings
in July, August, hiking
up trails designed for tourists
not hikers (but I could pretend),
to ascend, to see, finally
the valley below,
the land below.
I always feel closer to God
here, my mother says.
I like the black salamanders
in the streams.

This poem is submitted to the Warrior Poet Society, hosted by Jason Stasyszen, where the current prompt is “vacation.” To see more poems based on the prompt, please visit Connecting to Impact.

Photograph: Stream in the Smoky Mountains by Neal Floyd via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.

5 comments:

Louise Gallagher said...

Lovely poem.

Lovely reminisces.

I like the lyrical tone. It feels like the rythym and flow of a summer vacation.

Maureen said...

This is a fine lyrical read, Glynn; the details excellent. I especially like that curve metaphor, and also the simple delight in the pleasures of earth's delights.

Your poems are at their best whenever they include these kinds of look-backs.

S. Etole said...

vivid images of vacation memories ....

Linda said...

A perfect word picture of wonderful memories Glynn. I can remember living inside my imagination. I could be anyone and go anywhere. Such fun!

Anonymous said...

I love the flow of this one, Glynn. Thanks so much. Enjoyed this.