simple perfection

4 of 30

I felt so beautifully alive
blanket over shoulders
sitting criss-cross applesauce
beneath a diamond-studded velvet sky

as smoke drifted upward in twisting tendrils
flames dancing wild attendance
marshmallows burning to a delicious crisp
sizzling on the end of sharpened sticks

& my father's laughter
as we all gathered around the campfire
mom's embarrassed giggles
teased out of her habitual cautious demeanor
{only daddy held that power}

it signaled freedom
a moment slipped outside the lines of time
days of crazed innocent play
going without pause until we dropped
scent of lake baked into our skin
as we stilled with dinner in our laps
& calm prevailed

nights like these...of simple quiet
are held forever in my memories
when it comes to true beauty
...it's the little things