The Poet’s Place Writing

Chasin' Sprites in Caney Creek Wilderness

Stanza 1 (ABA)
I'm hoofin' it through Caney Creek, chasin' a sprite's wild spark,
Her cackle dances yonder, where the veil's rock splits the night,
Cedar's tang stings my nose in this Ouachita's moonlit dark.

Stanza 2 (BCB)
Through the ferns, her sparkled shadow skedaddles outta sight,
The creek's gurgle hums, where the realms part like a cracked bone,
I jump limestone, hearts thumpin' like a coonhound in low light.

Stanza 3 (CDC)
That rock is close, with a glow that’s dull like an eggshell stone,
Moss is slick on my hands, a secret I swore as a kid,
I recall chasin' fireflies that glowed like the Sun shone.

Stanza 4 (DED)
The veil's pulse calls me, soundin’ a song too sweet to be hid,
I reach, but she's gone, a wisp like cedar's sharp, bitter bite,
I feel a lonesome ache, losin' kin by somethin’ they did.

Stanza 5 (EAE)
Ain't no sprite to nab, but that rock's spark holds me tight,
Caney's hush hugs me tight, soft as dogwood's bloom in spring,
The veil's glow my prize; I stand on this hallowed Ouachita delight.

—Noisy Wren, ‘25