Summer Camp Souvenirs

When I got home from camp today,
My parents almost died.
They asked me how I got this way,
And here's what I replied:

"This little cast from heel to hip
Is nothing much at all.
Some broken shingles made me slip
From off the dining hall.

"The poison ivy's not so bad.
It missed my back and chest.
Of course, I guess I oughta add
Mosquitoes got the rest.

"I tried to eat some hick'ry nuts
And cracked a tooth or two.
And all these bruises, scabs, and cuts?
I haven't got a clue.

"I got the lump that's on my head
From diving in the lake.
I should have watched for rocks, instead
Of grabbing for the snake.

"That leaves this bandage on my chin
And these three finger sprains,
Along with lots of sunburned skin
And sniffles from the rains.

"And oh, I got a muscle cramp
And very nearly drowned.
It's some terrific summer camp,
The coolest one around."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018


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Date: 4/1/2023 11:28:00 AM
Fantastic! I love your style and it's a very entertaining poem.
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Richard Thomas
Date: 4/2/2023 5:09:00 AM
Thank you very much for your kind comment and for taking time to post it.
Date: 3/28/2023 2:35:00 PM
A narrative poem with tragic experience... I love this, interesting!
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Richard Thomas
Date: 4/2/2023 4:49:00 AM
Thank you for taking time to comment. and welcome to Poetry Soup.
Date: 3/28/2023 10:13:00 AM
Richard, I have read all of your poems that were in the email and I fell in love with your writing! Summer Camp Souvenirs was my favorite! I can see it as a children's book for sure!
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Richard Thomas
Date: 4/2/2023 4:46:00 AM
Thank you very much. I wrote this nearly forty years ago for my middle school students. I've written hundreds of rhymed, metered poems since then; but this remains my personal favorite.
Date: 3/28/2023 6:34:00 AM
A funny and entertaining poem. I plan to continue reading all your poems.
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Richard Thomas
Date: 4/2/2023 5:02:00 AM
Thank you very much. I'm flattered and hope you enjoy them.
Date: 3/27/2023 10:51:00 PM
So amusing, Loving your poetry. Good one.
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Date: 3/27/2023 2:22:00 PM
Awesome
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Richard Thomas
Date: 4/2/2023 4:32:00 AM
Thank you very much.
Date: 3/27/2023 8:31:00 AM
A brilliant poem, Richard, I was laughing at the end of it:) awesome:)
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Date: 3/27/2023 8:23:00 AM
Good one
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Richard Thomas
Date: 4/2/2023 3:46:00 AM
Thank you for taking time to comment,
Date: 3/27/2023 8:07:00 AM
Very reminiscent of "Camp Grenada" by Allan Sherman - which is rather good! Trying to think of a classical piece besides "Dance of the Hours" to put this to... :D
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Richard Thomas
Date: 4/2/2023 3:41:00 AM
Thank you. I am old enough to remember the Sherman song. As for "Dance of the Hours," I also remember the comedic version of it played by Spike Jones's orchestra in the 1950's. comedic band long ago
Date: 3/27/2023 7:30:00 AM
How fabulous...you certainly covered every 'nightmare' of summer camp. Well done, beautifully crafted. Cheers, Paulette
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Date: 2/16/2018 7:47:00 AM
Wow, the complete camping experience -a thoroughly amusing read. Chalking this up to a FAVE, Richard !
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Date: 2/16/2018 4:21:00 AM
hehe...very relatable....fun read :-)
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Date: 2/6/2018 5:01:00 PM
bahahah, great write Richard, funny stuff, welcome to poetry soup, looking forward to reading more of ur stuff. Lewis
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