THE WOODS

Were there with trees

Paths, deer

Just there

Until a breeze

Took our hands

And led us away

From the noise

Sirens, bikes, buses, trains

Highway roar, trucks, gunshots and cars

Took their leave

This, we realized

Is what the family came to vacation from

And what we all thanked Carole for

Here is more

Barothy’s manicured Michigan retreat

Lodges

Ponds, river

And islands

A favorite harbored geese

Peacocks, ducks and a swan

Waddling, hissing

Do not tread on

Our gaggle space

The woods were there

With opportunities

Kids commandeered the hot tub

And pools

One with water

The other, a table

Billiard balls and cues

In the evenings

A board game crowd

Loud

During the day

Ponds with fish

Nibblers, smallish

Caught our kids

Magnificent uncles

Eased nephews and nieces

Into the icky fishy tasks

To catch and release

Tennis?  Basketball anyone?

Playing catch?

Coaches and players

All available

Watch Zander demonstrate

His behind-the-back dribble

The woods were there with the Pere

Marquette

A Keefe Kamp Kayak Crew

Took a river tour

Launching one at a time

Heading to the bank

Directly across to sort through

What paddles do

And how to head down stream

Meanwhile

Captain Aaron

Drifted Meme and Papa

Down the river to see

An eagle, its aerie

And an early salmon run

Frequent pauses 

A trout try or two

But mostly

Two with son

Were you an early riser?

Did you turn off the overhead fan?   

Or the fireplace on?

Help start the coffee?

Wait quietly

As the morning excitement wandered down

One by one?

A few slept in

(They know who they are)

Their rule:

What you do, or don’t do

On vacation

Need not be an issue before noon

The woods were there with bees

Blake, stung among the flowers

At the swimming pool

Tried his seven-year-old best

To keep his cool

Evening cocktail hours, for sure

On the back porch overlooking the river

Look down to see 

Who is fishing today

Or out front under a nest of mourning doves

Fledglings, perched

No hurry to move

Late week

An urban break

Lured by the attractions of Ludington

A huge beach, for the young  

While the adults took

A lighthouse breaker walk

A half-mile out

Keeping cameras dry

The same walk, half-mile back

The woods were there to share

A last night birthday cake

The oldest member

Maintaining his pace

Banked another

Then we celebrated 

From the youngest on

We were made to stand up front, alone

And hear the noisy group decide

How well we played

With others

Then make a selection from

The pool table awards array

On check-out morning

We worked to untangle the clan

And get everyone into

Their proper vans

Cars or SUVs

With all their gear

As well as several bags of returnable cans

   

Last minute photo ops

Then

“Goodbye, woods”

Will you stay?

And be here to greet us again someday?

DRK

11/27/17

4/11/18