This Summer Evening Settles Down

This summer evening settles down.

Orange smoke from crackling campfire

Floats through Cascade air.

“Experience of a Lifetime” sign

Swings back and forth on it’s rusty hinges.

Ten o’clock.

 

The campers of Cabin 4 turn from the fire’s warmth

And step into the shadows, towards their temporary home.

Their faces beam with a pure, joyous light,

Like radiant, match-lit candles entering the starless night.

 

Ecstatic, they run about playing Pterodactyl and Kum-Cha

With best friends made in a day,

Creating memories that will survive eternity.

 

The children eventually settle down in creaky bunk beds

As Noodle lolls them to a solid slumber

With tales of Peter Pan and Cinderella.

 

At last, Camp Dudley comes to rest

In the deep-cast shadow of Kamiakin’s crest.

The familiar full moon stands guard,

Mirrored off Clear Lake.

 

 

With sweet dreams of today’s adventures:

Hiking Round Mountain and daring the Leap of Faith,

Campers sleep soundly ‘til morning

When the first bird sings.

      -Elizabeth Daley