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Writer's pictureAlice Wyatt

Gila Hot Springs Weekend

Updated: Oct 10, 2023



the place is packed


vintage camper vans

a rainbow of tents

shiny pickup trucks

pulling color-coordinated pop-ups,


a display akin

to the plumage of strutting roosters


single women, take the bait

move in close

shy, easily spooked

by pretentious mansplaining

but interested,

oh, definitely interested!


—————————————



campsite settled

towels slung over shoulders

bodies slip into rock-hewn tubs

sink down,

with sighs of contentment


an afternoon breeze

rustles cottonwoods

which, in turn

drop medallions of gold

into steaming pools


hands reach out,

scoop, then toss

the desire to tidy

always with us


---------------------



damp hair towel-dries

as sun slides behind

juniper studded hillsides

Autumn air settles into hollows


campfires blaze

hot dogs, s’mores, cheap red wine

friends swap tales

already told

comfort in the repeat


tucked into bed by 9:00

full moon mocking

efforts to sleep

despite

cozy mummy bag cocoons


——————————————



early morning

szhoop of tent zippers

click, click, whoosh

then, HISS from Jet Boil burners

perched on picnic tables

damp with morning dew


dog tags jingle - jangle - jingle

toenails find the illusive itch

noses touch, tails wag,

greetings exchanged

on the

morning pee path


thwack of an ax

cold toes and cold noses

quickly warmed by

a crackling fire,

steam from enamel coffee cups


—————————————


check out

not till 11:00

sturdy shoes, leash snaps

the wild calls


summer storms

come and gone

the Gila River

a gentle stream


in knee-deep eddies

bulbous tadpoles scatter

before the scuff of

ghostly toes

settle down

only to be spooked again


——————————————


all packed up

tail-gates slam

hugs exchanged

calendars consulted


next year?

same place?

same time?


yes, let’s


To the ultimate campers: Ann, Susan, and Sonia, who we missed dreadfully





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1 Comment


buddecarlson
buddecarlson
Oct 17, 2023

Wow, just wow. I was there in my mind and so badly wanted to be in body. Great writing!

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