Third Place Winner, December 2002 InterBoard Poetry Competition

Poetry

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Poetry

InterBoard Poetry Competition

Third Place Winner, December 2002

THE OTHER LIFE
Jill Beck
(Atlantic Writer's Workshop)

Buckeyes blossomed. Clicks of crickets
through the manzanita campsites
sounded summers. By the lamplight
we found firewood in the thickets.

Sparks of campfires snapped and glittered
as if heaven's eyes were peeping;
spikes of sooty flames were leaping
and tired children teased and tittered.

Lights across the small creek flickered
as cars drove beside the water.
Peace prevailed; small sons and daughters
slept well, having fought and bickered.

In our tent, time seemed unhurried
as we, languid, lay and listened
to the night, the plunk of fish and
small nocturnal scritch and scurry.

Other times, I feared the night things:
snakes and spiders. He would zipper
fast our tent, he laughed, and gripped or
stroked my hand. Some summer eves bring

back those safe sun scented times,
when canvas kept the future out,
when what we had to think about
were ospreys nests, and wind in pines,
deep water holes and fishing lines,
damp bathing suits, and specked Trout.

Comment from the judges (River Styx editors): “The third place one we thought was delightfully ambivalent and well-executed formally, especially nice rhymes.”