"Rubber Side Down": a poem

 

 

 

 

 

rubber side down

 

 

roadkill offends

and of course

dead skunks

are the worst

olfactory offense

but even squirrels

chipmunks and raccoons

give off a scent of death

while in towns and cities

the excess exhaust

from overheated cars

reeks of poisons

like ozone and methane

then back to the country

where fresh cow manure

from the farms

is pungent

but not too bad

and the comforting scent

of new-mown hay

being rolled into stacks

is only exceeded by

the reassuring smell

of fresh-cut grass

and—for this coastal boy—

that first whiff of

salty air

from an onshore breeze

and an ocean fog

rolling home

 

 

 

 

 

James W. Kershner, July 2017

 

 

Home, sweet home!

I made it home safe and sound. After 30 days and about 2,500 miles, I am very glad to be home. It was a great adventure, but today was a long, hot, stressful last leg.

I'll add some thoughts about the trip when I recover.

Bear Mountain Bridge

I was hot and tired when I rolled into Fort Montgomery, on the west bank of the Hudson. Motorcycling in civilization is not as much fun as the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Between Carlisle and Harrisburg, I decided to take Interstate 81. At one point there was construction, so they shifted the lanes half a lane to the right. My lane was half roadway and half shoulder--at different heights! I had to pick one and stay within that half lane. On my right was a line of Jersey barriers. On my left was a line of 18-wheelers going about 55. Yikes! It was like walking a tightrope, but I made it.

And don't get me started on the sign casually announcing that the road surface was now "hot tar and chips."

Carlisle

I made it into Carlisle Tuesday afternoon. I didn't feel up to running in Thornwald Park, as I usually do, but I did take a walk there. I see they have restored the old mansion in the park. It looks nice. I also did laundry and swam in the pool. Parts of Carlisle look just like they did when I lived here 40 years ago. Others are completely different.

It is difficult to make the transition from the remote, natural mountaintop parks to the hot, noisy, busy civilization down in the valleys.

Bear sighting

Tuesday morning was a great time for wildlife sightings. I saw a black snake slither across the Skyline Drive. There were about a dozen beautiful Virginia white-eyed deer along the northern 50 miles of Skyline Drive. I saw lots of small mammals and rodents, like a groundhog or beaver.  But the highlight was watching a healthy young black bear lope across the road in front of me. Beautiful.

Setback

Had a minor setback today, but it ended fine. After a beautiful morning at Peaks of Otter, I rode off blissfully unaware that I had left my credit card behind after paying for breakfast. About 40 miles north, I noticed a message on my phone. It was the innkeeper. I decided to go on and ask him to mail it to me. He said the credit card companies wouldn't let him do that. He had to hand it to me or destroy it.

An hour later I told him if there is one road to backtrack on, this is it.

Then back on the road northbound again. I made it to my reserved room at Big Meadows by 5:30.

Walked down to the Appalachian Trail behind the lodge at Big Meadows before dinner. I had to pay my respects. I doubt I will ever hike it all, but I love it nontheless. I crossed it three or four times today alone. Steve and I saw it in Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. That Trail and these roads say something important about America.

Peaks of Otter

Sunday was a beautiful ride north along the Parkway from Orchard Gap to Peaks of Otter. I saw several deer and smaller wildlife. When we passed farms I saw cows, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs. There were beautiful emerald forests and fields of grass, hay, corn, wheat, and lots more. It was a heavenly ride.

Sat by a beautiful mountain stream in the picnic area of Peaks of Otter. So peaceful.

Leaving Wildacres

Leaving Wildacres Saturday morning was sad. There were some tearful good-byes, a lot of hugs and heartfelt handshakes. We were all sad to see the magical two weeks end. I accomplished my writing goal and made some wonderful new friends.

The weather seemed threatening, but it did not rain, so I made it to Orchard Gap, Virginia, early afternoon. I stayed in Lone Pine Cabins. Spent a lot of time on the porch rocker contemplating this view.

Yee-haw

Thursday night we had a costume party with a Wild West theme. I went as The Femenist Cowboy. There were lots of great costumes. I think Celisa topped them all as an outhouse. There are always parties lasting late into the evening. Since I don't drink, I usually go to bed earlier than most. That makes it easier to get up for morning meditation.

I got such positive feedback about my memoir, I plan to begin a serious search for an agent.

Wildflowers

The Black-Eyed Susan is the Maryland state flower. Perhaps that's why it is my favorite flower. Wildacres has plenty of them, as well as purple coneflower (Echinacea). There are rhododendrons in bloom, and mountain laurel, plus plenty I can't identify. This place is a natural wonderland.

Crabtree Falls

Tuesday morning Jill and I hiked to Crabrett Falls and waded into the frigid water. It was refreshing to say the least. There was a rainbow at the foot of the falls.

Paradise

I'm sitting on the balcony of the lobby at Wildacres, and the view, as always, is spectacular. What's remarkable this time is that I temporarily have an Internet connection and an outlet with which to charge my laptop. This second week includes workshop classes and homework, such as reading and analyzing our classmates' poems. I've been busy.

 Last night we also had faculty readings. They were wonderful. We really do have a talented faculty. Jim Clark read a satirical sestina  that made me laugh until I cried.

Later a circle of musicians formed on the patio and played "stump the band." They played some great music, and we were all up late.

Affirmation

After working for a week rewriting my memoir, I decided to read my revised prologue at the student readings last night. I really was very insecure. I thought it might be terrible writing. When my reading was over, there was enthusiastic applause, and one of the instructors gave me a thumbs up. Later, half a dozen others complimented me. I feel much better about it now. Maybe it is good after all.

Music, writing, and fun

There was another delightful jam session late last night. Here Mike, Kristi, Luke, Will, and Preston rock out.

That was after a full day of writing and general friendly fun.

For me, every day starts with a 20-minute meditation between the bells at 7:30 and 7:50 a.m.  This place is amazing.

I don't know if I am crazy to think I can write this book, but I feel compelled to try. That's how most people here feel. It is very supportive. Today I think I need to strengthen the ending.

After lunch, Will and I plan to go into Spruce Pine and do some laundry and shopping. Then, tomorrow, another 50 writers and some instructors will arrive for the second, more intense week.

More writing

It's Thursday morning, and I have been making good progress on my memoir during the retreat week. Yesterday I even gave up an invitation to hike to Crabtree Falls because I wanted to stay at my desk in the library and keep writing. I finished reassembling my book, including a new ending, but I am still not satisfied with my beginning. I hope to fix that up today.

Last night I read at the student readings. I wasn't ready to share my current work, so I read my poem "Invasive" from last year, and I think it was well received.

Invasive

 Phragmites australis

reed under siege
damned by naturalists
userper of cattails
wild rice,
wetland orchids
 
dubbed Phragmites vulgaris,
but noted in brackets
[illegitimate name]
Phragmites thickets
make poor homes
for mussels and crabs
 
prolific Phragmites
lovely on roadsides
sturdy tall reeds
with fluffy tan plumage
blowing in gentle
onshore breezes

Phragmites americanus
decried as an alien
no longer welcome
I used to call you “sea wheat”
amber waves of grain, I thought
from sea to shining sea
 

James Kershner, January 2016

Writing Day

After a good writing day at a table in the library, I had a feeling there was a soda in the vending machine with my name on it. And that's exactly what popped out.

After two days of writing, I have reorganized my memoir, but it still starts to slowly and does not flow. Today (Wednesday) I hope to go through it again, tightening up the beginning and making it all flow more smoothly. I also need a new ending.

Everyone here is so supportive. We are all talking about our writing projects. I wanted to share my writing, but it's still not ready for prime time. Maybe if I tighten up the beginning enough, I can read that this evening.

More Music

 After the student readings last night, musicians gathered in the music room last night for a jam session. Preston, Will, Tim, Luke, and Kristi collaborated on folk, blues, pop, and good old rock 'n' roll.

In the morning I worked hard on my memoir, setting up a new structure for the first three chapters. In the afternoon, Will and I went into Spruce Pine, where I did a load of laundry and Will picked up supplies at Walmart.

At Wildacres, the writers are serious. All over campus, folks are working on their laptops or writing in notebooks. It is inspiring.

Despite listening to the jam session until after 11 p.m., I was up for our morning meditation at 7:30 in the same music room. Our little meditation group grew from two of us yesterday to five people this morning.

Wildacres

 

It is wonderful to be back at Wildacres. It is a magical refuge dedicated to "the betterment of human relations." It is Monday morning now, and most people have settled in to writing. It is especially nice to see my Wildacres roommate, Will. In the past four years, we had the luxury of staying in the Guest House, which was a little more luxurious that staying in the dorm, as we are this year. 

Sunday afternoon I arrived around 1 p.m., but Judy said we weren't supposed to check in until 3 p.m. I decided to ride into Little Switzerland for a bite to eat. On the way there, I saw a beautiful grassy hillside along the parkway with a place to park my motorcycle off the pavement. I decided to use my time meditating, relaxing and enjoying a cold Diet Mountain Dew. Then I realized that any motorcyclist riding past might be concerned that my bike had broken down and stop to assist me. So when I heard a motorcycle approaching, I looked up and offered a smile and a wave to indicate that everything was OK. After a few of those passed, I heard a loud roar and saw an organized group of 18 (I counted them) Harley Davidsons cruising down the parkway. I sat on the hillside giving them all  a peace sign and a smile. Every single one of the 18 riders waved back at me. The connection--the comradery--between motorcyclists is heartwarming.

There is a similar connection among writers. About 50 of us have assembled, and all over campus, people are hunched over their laptops writing. It feels good to be among kindred souls.

Retreat!

I am entering a new phase of my Odyssey today. After a week of heading south and exploring the Smokies area, I am going back north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Wildacres Retreat Center. It is a magical remote gathering spot on a mountaintop near the village of Little Switzerland, NC.

For the next week, 50 serious writers will do some serious writing during the day and some serious partying at night. In the morning, I'll be leading meditation before breakfast. I'm really looking forward to it all.

After that, there will be a week of workshops with about 100 writers and half a dozen distinguished instructors. Both weeks include student readings in the evenings. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Happiness

Crossed a lot of ridges and valleys today, going east from Knoxville to Asheville. I followed old US 25. Near Knoxville they call it The Asheville Pike. Nowadays most folks take the Interstate instead.

Maybe I'm a happy ocean person looking for wisdom in the mountains.