Once again, I’m meeting up with the community of Five Minute Friday at the Gypsy Mama for some free writing fun. I’m liking this. Here are the rules: follow the prompt, no extreme editing, write for five minutes flat and encourage the person who linked up just before you.
Today’s word is JOIN.
{GO}
We trek to the semi-wild together each year to breathe
the ocean,
hold hands to the heat, share meals
around the fire.
We are singles and couples, families
with multiple children.
We love each other, and we love this fresh air tinged smoke and
salt, this sand
in toes.
We late-night talk
and jump waves and dry dishes and learn
a Boy Scout way. We look inside
each other’s tents
and it’s like getting a glimpse into a lamp-lit house
on a dark night.
We steal moments to tell dreams
that appear out of darkness like stars
multiplying the longer you
look.
We smile at the kids,
the way they live in this place differently.
Some build dams or dig sand trenches, some
tackle,
some snuggle
during the daytime in sleeping bags.
Some sit by the fire
just to listen to grownup
talk.
We join under branches, around the fire, in
the sand, under the canopy of this
temporary home where we
belong.
{STOP}
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
![Sometimes nothing says it quite like the way of a child. Before the rest of the house wakes, I read the account of Easter morning in the Jesus Storybook Bible: "And it seemed to [Mary Magdalene] that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy-- the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart." The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so are we. And it is new. Once again. Yes, it is always new...He is risen indeed!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s320x320/e35/17934124_1877271335863004_8139172358331039744_n.jpg "Sometimes nothing says it quite like the way of a child. Before the rest of the house wakes, I read the account of Easter morning in the Jesus Storybook Bible: \"And it seemed to [Mary Magdalene] that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy-- the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart.\" The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so are we. And it is new. Once again. Yes, it is always new...He is risen indeed!")
I can feel and smell the ocean air as if I was there. What a great tradition to look forward to each summer. Have fun.
Thanks, Mom! I think of you and all the camping trips you took with your FOUR boys. What a trooper! What fun!
The words that tumble from your mind in five minutes are the sea to me. I think I’d like you to tell me bedtime stories, ones that you make up on the spot, going on and on, filling the smoky salt air with hushed wonder from your own imaginings. Then I would sleep the sleep of angels. And I would make you breakfast in the morning. xo, mama
As I said before, this is where you got your gift from God! Your Mama could read the phone book to me!!
I love it!
Awww, what a beautiful thought. Thank you, sweet Mama. And I’d love your breakfast.
Beautiful poetry Ashley. Beautiful.
Thank you, Don.
It takes me longer than five minutes to think of your first paragraph! I would like to clone your wonderful imagination and gift with words. I love you, baby!
I’d love to see you with five minutes and a keyboard or piece of paper. You have a beautiful way with love and words.
You place me there. The words express it all. Thank you!
What would it take to get you camping for reals? :)
Love it Ashley, great job!
Thanks, Karissa! I appreciate the encouragement. :)
Sounds lovely. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds lovely. I could feel the sand and smell the camp fire. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Meghann. I’m so glad you visited today.
I love the mood you’ve created with this point. My favorite stanza is this one:
We late-night talk
and jump waves and dry dishes and learn
a Boy Scout way. We look inside
each other’s tents
and it’s like getting a glimpse into a lamp-lit house
on a dark night.
It brought back such lovely memories I have of going to girls camp when I was young. Thanks for that.
Thank you for stopping by, Rozanne. I so appreciate your comment and am thankful you shared a memory of your own here.
Beautiful writing, as always, Ashley, you always capture the moment for me. I felt like I was on the beach camping in tents with my kids!
Makes me so happy to bring back sweet memories. :)