“Arowhon Pines” by Howard Pell

“Arowhon Pines”

(For Brian Henry)

Writers retreat at Arowhon Pines
Great place to meet and scribble some rhymes
Blue water like lace, air smells of pine
Slowing our pace, stretching our time

Morning mist on the water, coffee calling us in
Lake is so frosty only the brave want to swim
Old friends and new—where are you from
Unused to hand-writing our fingers grow numb

Brian our mentor, prompts by the score
Much time to write and then write some more
You answer our questions it’s never a bother
We write we talk we learn from each other

So many ways to open our story
Pigs eating rattlers, for some it’s too gory
Some writers are plotters some seat of the pants
We invite our readers to join us in dance

Adjectives adverbs articles nouns
Dialogue irony rhythm and sounds
Questions and answers opinions and thoughts
First person third then the reader we’ve caught

Writing’s our joy our purpose in coming
The song of the loon the woodpecker thrumming
The rippling lake lapping the shore
The tread on the path the slap of screen door

Writing and eating a true holiday
Over so quickly wish we could stay
Some bring their wine some their root beer
We part with the promise—we’ll see you next year

The weekend is over time to go home
To thank you dear Brian we wrote you this poem
Just doggerel we know but the feeling is real
We hope that it shows just how we feel

***

Howard Pell retired in 2014 from a career in adult education in the computer field. He began writing a blog on his experiences with his retirement. Then with encouragement from friends and family he wrote his first book on things he learned and things he wished he had known before his retirement.

He’s now written and self-published two non-fiction books: Retire Fit, Fit and Fit and co-authored and self-published Retire Fit with S.A.F.E. Workouts. He’s also written many short stories and poems, and his first novel Lives Lived will be released in July. He and his wife Rosemary live in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

See Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.