There was ample beer and a guitar or two
weed and 60s folksongs
There was the blazing fire at your back
and the tents around it
You faced away from the overwhelming heat
from the blinding heat
It was awful so you finally stood up
and then you walked into the woods
Without light you fled the sounds of camaraderie behind you
Alone close in among the trees you escaped
Relief found in the quiet and cool blanketed by nightsounds
You stayed there
a creature in the woods
You stayed there
why don’t you belong
You stayed there
do you ever belong
You stay there
but you will return eventually
always return and try to fit
a can of undrunk sour beer in your hand
weed that you wave away
right on yeah man manic laughter
silent you finally pulling out a book
or your journal
From the trees you look towards the campfire
A beacon of flame marking time lost in a role
accommodating others
trying not to be egregiously weird
As if there was anything truly weird about not liking folksong or weed or beer
or campfires
You shift your weight
a twig snaps
Your hand clutches over tree bark
grit rolls under your fingers
You inhale shallowly
your heart shudders
You attempt a step
fallen leaves rustle
you creature of the woods
why don’t you belong
do you ever belong
You stay there just a little longer
with your back to the fire