Camp Morning Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

Soft pineland sounds awaken life
Fog lifts from shallow lakes
Soon golden campfires crackle bright
As sleepy campers wake

A cup of hearty coffee boiled
On smoky flames of fire
With pristine water from a well -
A breakfast to desire

Potatoes soften as they bake
In ashes of night embers
Robust among the morsels gleaned
from Everglades remembered

A cardinal’s bright orange coat
Stands out among the green
Of palm and scrub oak covered ground
He hopes small crumbs to glean

The sky quite blue this early morn
Slash pines soar tall and slim
As if still reaching night’s bold stars
Now shrouded by day’s whim

There’s something to a campground hearth
Warming coarse crusts of bread
Well noted by small woodland friends
Renews the quick and dead

When I’m too old to build a fire
Or gather twigs and leaves
Or rest on canvas cots when tired
Take me to heaven’s eaves

Soft pineland sounds awaken life
Fog lifts from shallow lakes
Soon golden campfires crackle bright
As sleepy campers wake.