Weekend Away

         12 January 2013, 2:30-5:00pm
           Girl Scouts of Northern California Kicked Back Weekend,
           Camp Bothin, West Marin

Into the car,
heading down the road,
we ride into the darkness of night,

Arriving at road’s end.
There, in the middle of nowhere,
we can pretend.

Whether to stay up or sleep?
Hmmm, the company we keep
rarely goes without a peep.

Then, up comes the sun,
stirring sleepy heads,
first to breakfast, then onward to fun

And games, with knowledge braided,
from one to another are passed:
flames to rekindle lights faded.

Soon, dinner and pageant shared,
songs and dances done, and
hijinks, too, as far as can be dared.

Day well done gives way to dreams purled.
We’ll wake once more, to buns and kapers,
friendship circle and flag furled,

Thence back to car,
to road and to the weary world,
returning to places near from far.

“Here, always!” the birds cry,
above motors’ hum and churn,
as all about us they flutter and fly
—for they know that we’ll return.

© 2013 by Elisabeth T. Eliassen