The full title — Wayfinding: Poetry celebrating America's parks and public lands — really tells you everything you need to know about this book. Will you like the book? Umm... I started the book two years ago. At the time, it wasn't for me. I put it down. It gathered dust. But then... this … Continue reading Book Review: Wayfinding
Poetry
The Joy of Halloween
Life knocking you flat? Feel you've lost your gloss? Things not going exactly as you please? What to do: Disguise yourself as Bob Ross, Then go and paint some happy little trees. Everyone knows a happy little tree Will embellish a happy little scene. And seen at a frightfully good party, You might relish a … Continue reading The Joy of Halloween
The Legend of National Park Mountain
Ages ago, on a dark starry night, Between the forest and the Firehole’s banks (Perhaps the Madison’s), a spark took flight, A thought, a plan, for which we should give thanks National Parks, behold their provenance: Below dark outcroppings, beside a stream (Rock eyes, creek mouth; a face), camp occupants Envisioned preservation. Such a dream! … Continue reading The Legend of National Park Mountain
Fix Goo
Dear Weird Al, Do you know what everyone can relate to, but nobody has ever written a song about? Cake fails. Do you know what solves almost all cake fails? Whipping cream. Just in case you wanted to right this wrong and write that song, here is some inspiration, by way of Coldplay's, "Fix You." … Continue reading Fix Goo
False Starts, Sad End
I started a poem about Alcatraz And then... "What rhymes with Alcatraz? Sassafras? Razzmatazz? All that jazz?" I started a poem about pineapple And, while that's easier to rhyme, I grapple Instead with meaning, and another surprise: Too many eyes. "Write us a poem! Please?" I hear your pleas. So we're back to our old … Continue reading False Starts, Sad End
Stump Speech: Exit Interview
"Are you a sore loser?" "Can't be. I never lose." "You lost the election — " "Wrong. No. Uh-uh. Fake news." "People died. Staff resigned. They muzzled your Twitter. The Senate's rejection — " "Quitter, quitter, quitter." "Last words? Any regrets?" "I scorn what that imputes. Although, on reflection — I'd put down deeper roots." … Continue reading Stump Speech: Exit Interview
Starting the New Year Right
Last night they fired the starting gun On the year Twenty-Twenty-One. Now with Twenty-Twenty a ghost, Raise your glass and let’s make a toast! May the year ahead soon restore Things ruined by the year before. May we not need to cry, "Undo!" Again in Twenty-Twenty-Two. ~ Camp Host Chad "Cheers!" "Release the balloons!"
Stump Speech: Giving Shade, Not Throwing It
Vote for me! I'm not old, I'm classic — What? When? Who won? Really, me? Gee whiz. That's, that's, that's... Well, son of a gun. I guess we're done here — Why not? Of course tree will. No shame. "Never take responsibility. Never take blame." Give me money! I'm raising funds before we proceed, Apparently … Continue reading Stump Speech: Giving Shade, Not Throwing It
Stump Speech: Deride and Conquer
Vote for me! Forget those other stumps. Commies! Reds! Lobotomized chumps! A copse of carbon flatheads! They can't say, "Ain't nobody never cut me down." (mocking voice) "Waahh! Help me!! I need another crown!" Sure, I'm twisted, hollow, partially decomposed. So what? There you have it. That's me, fully disclosed. In life, in elections, I've … Continue reading Stump Speech: Deride and Conquer
Stationary Stump Speeches
Stump Speech: a speech that is made many times by a politician who is traveling to different places during a campaign for election For the record, Campfire Tales is non-political, and that's not about to change. (No, that's the wrong word. Try again.) For the record, Campfire Tales is non-partisan, and that's not about to … Continue reading Stationary Stump Speeches
Campfire Tales 