The Swimming Hole
Summer days, yellow hot and still
Warm the forest floor
Steep, narrow paths, like tentacles
Reach to the brook below
The ground, dappled with light
Gives way to the rushing stream and frigid pools
Sun baked rocks and deep shadows
Embrace dark green water
The hum of darting insects
Fills the dense air
As clothes are flung to the ground
And the body offered to silken depths
Warm the forest floor
Steep, narrow paths, like tentacles
Reach to the brook below
The ground, dappled with light
Gives way to the rushing stream and frigid pools
Sun baked rocks and deep shadows
Embrace dark green water
The hum of darting insects
Fills the dense air
As clothes are flung to the ground
And the body offered to silken depths
posted by Pam at 10:48 AM
16 Comments:
Very nice. I could feel the experience. One question: did you means to say cloths, or did you just forget the 'e' in clothes? (not trying to be a smart aleck)
You need to post your poetry more often lady! "Dappled with light" was wonderful and artwork was the cherry on top!
I love you!
Even as a non-fan of summer, I can say I loved the poem. :)
Peace,
~Chani
Hurray-the swimming hole painting (and a bonus poem) that I have been waiting for.
Children today who go to community or backyard pools are missing out on the wonderful experience of the swimming hole!
Ahhhhh, this is so nice! We had this kind of swimming hole out in the country when I was growing up. It was filled with kids, dogs, and a pet deer. We'd be shivering, then lay out on flat rocks to dry out. Then, we'd swim again. What happy days those were.
Hi Pam, Wonderfully descriptive poem! Love the "yellow hot and still". I can picture this place perfectly. I was very surprised at the last two lines -- I didn't expect there to be any humans! Great - it has been a long time since a poem surprised me. Oh yes, thank you for your very nice words on my blog. Write some more poetry .....Alyssa
AC - I may have forgotten it or my limited typing abilities may be at fault. Most likely the former...age related. = )
Tammy - I've had poetry block, but yearning for summer freedom made me think of my favorite spot and I took a mental dip.
Chani - I've always loved summer untill recently. The weather in VT is changing and we get more damp, rainy and humid days than we use to. Now I'm a spring and fall fan, except for all the lovely, rich green of summer in the mountains.
Kgmom - You are right, the swimming hole experience is a very special one, there is nothing like it.
Bonita - Love those flat rocks for basking and drying and there always seems to be one. There are many wonderful spots like this here, some even have waterfalls. A pet deer? Now there's a story!
Alyssa - The nice thing about VT is that the human factor at swimming holes is usually minimal, the way it should be.
I can totally picture this place ... almost hidden in the depths of the wooded valley. The human presence doesn't surprise me -- after all, you are the poet, the observer, the swimmer, the one whose body yearns for the sacrament of water and connection with the Earth... what a beautiful evocation of that connection, Pam! -- both the painting and your words. Those butterflies are a perfect punctuation to the dancing rocks, light, shadows ... thank you for your vision.
Maureen - I've been chastised for going to my favorite swimming holes alone but you are right,it's a connection to nature in its purest form, a oneness, that cannot always be shared.
Your picture certainly set the mood for your poem... reading the words and closing my eyes, I could feel that incredible sense of being near water on a hot summer's day.
Just lovely.
I remember days and experiences like this. Your lovely poem and picture brought them back. It fills me with longing for those golden days of youth. We had them once, right? So beautiful . . . I can feel the water.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kate - The sense of smell recalls so many memories, it's the fragrances of summer that takes me to those wonderful places.
Cathy - I was lucky enough to rediscover the swimming hole in my late forties and enjoyed them, even more than when I was a kid, until I was taken ill.
What a wonderful poem and I love the artwork.
Hi Pam
This post is delightful. I read the poem out loud, because there's something about it that makes the sounds of summer. I love the way it's all in the present tense. I also love the way the hole is there way before the human bodies get there. Beautiful image.
Laurie - Thank you, I will miss my secret swimming places.
Caroline - It's the sounds and smells that made it real enough to write about, I can feel myself there if I concentrate.
Post a Comment
<< Home