An Ode to Camping

A river gurgles happily
mica glinting in its waters
weaving through a valley
its steady rushing calming
many busy campers

A rugged trail leads up a mountain
to a prize at the top,
a gorgeous mountain meadow
which could make any heart sing with pleasure
for its glowing wildfowers
and absolute tranquility

A silver truck ambles
up a winding mountain road,
three girls giggling in the back marveling
at the trees around them and watching the
lightning in the distance, hoping the storm won't
push them back into the truck

A fire crackles and flares up
sending sparks shooting into the air
giving the dark woods a more homey feel
but
the flames soon die down to embers
and a reluctant family shuffles
back to their camper, heads filled with
memories of their few days spent in the wilderness.