Camp Summer Poems

(Cabin Sunset, summer 2025)

The Heat of the Moment

Settling into our new mountain cabin,
Dogs and humans equally overheated
In the shadeless August afternoon,
The only way to be...

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I loved my childhood summers
In the mountains, where we stayed
In a small, one-bedroom bungalow 
Where memories were made.

We didn’t mind the lack of space;
Outside were...

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Rainbow ribbons in her hair
Playing in the grass with no care
Making mud pies in the dirt
Skinny dipping in July no pants no shirt

Playing hide and...

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As boy I loved summer for holidays
Notwithstanding its sweltering hot days,
In youth I found it good--
It strips all nearly nude,
Now when I’m old, it matters...

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Her spell remains over me 44 years later

Once a bumblebee has kissed the nectar of Snapdragon
The creature is fever of succulence

She says, “You kiss so...

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Buzzing bees

pollen covered bee
flits from flower to flower
nature's matchmaker

Camping

frogs croaking in base
crickets chirping in tenor
camp with nature's band


Midnight swim

reflecting moonlight
lunar cool lake shadows dance
dappling your...

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Sammy, the good lad 
does enjoy the Summer days
He helps his parents in household chores
obeying* them with smile always.

Sammy, the good lad 
is rejoicing in...

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Welcome to the place where I’ve put my stamp
A little lot I call camp
Where good times and laughter
Make memories that will last forever after
It’s a...

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(Leeza, my roommate Lisa’s little sister, was off-tha-hook earlier this summer)

thirteen
peach flesh
fabuk buster
nu-metal priss
sexless breasts
bitten fingernails
dirty babyskin feet
mirror mesmerized
straight-eyed honesty
grouchapottamus
without analysis
corollary sister
wide eyed
hot mess
skinny
pacer
bella
doe
.
.
Webster: Corollary:...

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Sent away at age five for the summer
  No way his parents could have been dumber
     On Johnny's first day...

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Seasonal writing may be fraught
with dreams that hip and hop,
feelings that flip and flop.
We want, of course, that which is not.
 
In crushing heat, chill...

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What a stupid situation
Twenty foot above the ground
But when I reach the bottom
I’m nearly half way round
It was Ronnie Hatchard said it
Hey boys lets have...

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Farewell, au revoir, goodbye, convivial summer. 
The day is late now, and the breeze is warmer. 
A vacant ocean-side barricaded motel. 
Wild geese are soon flying in lines...

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At 3 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon
In the month of June Mr. Cartoon 
was heard singing along attune 
At the neighborhood saloon 
swooning to a...

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It all started in North Carolina
Home of my heart and physique
I don’t think it’s praised in China
Because of such blazing mystique

It began at Keystone Camp...

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