Snow's Writing for 2019, 2020, & Beyond

April 7, 2019: Poison Ivy Hike

Poison Ivy Hike

I remember the hike!

A group of girls,
between 10 and 15,
tramping through the woods
on a summer day.

I don't remember
if it was a Girls Auxiliary
or a Vacation Bible School outing.

At the time,
I didn't care
who sponsored the adventure;
all that mattered
was the scent of the trees,
the songs of the birds,
and the sounds of the insects.

The teachers
encouraged us to collect
leaves off the tress,
bushes,
and other plants,
which is how my sister
and half the troop
got a poison ivy rash.

I'm not sure
why I didn't get the rash,
perhaps it was because
my sister and I
tried not to collect leaves
from the same plant.

Even with the calamine lotion
my sister was miserable,
and Mom
wouldn't let her go anywhere
until after the rash cleared up.

Poet's Note: ▶︎

Line Count: 34
Form: Free verse
Prompt: April 7--hike
Written for "Dew Drop Inn" .