And You Wonder Why You don’t Hate Camping—Free Verse

To wake up several times at night

On the ground.

.

To listen to the sounds of rooting animals

Outside the fabric walls.

.

To be trapped in a sleeping bag

Both too hot and too cold.

.

To wake up grumpy and tired

With the sun.

.

To sit in a camp chair trying to rekindle

Last night’s fire.

.

Until you hear the tent zipper pull

And see your child’s smiling face.

***

A free verse poem has no set pattern for line or stanza length. Rhyme is not used, or it is used sparingly. The line length and the rhythm or the lines are dictated by the natural rhythm of speech or other concerns such as emphasis on a particular word, image, or idea.

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