Camp California

Camp
Green earth,
Free from crime,
Apart from grief,
Without poverty.
A place to foster hope,
Where innocence is reclaimed.
Some kids have never seen the trees,
Or splashed around in a swimming pool.
Mother Nature greets them for the first time.

She shows them her clear, crystalline waters,
And varied, iridescent flora.
Unpolluted air surrounds them,
Unadulterated joy.
Nature is a healer,
Welcome therapist,
Uplifting friend.
Nature as
Truth and
Hope.


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(20 lines)

Etheree Form: 10 lines with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 syllables, respectively. (This poem is actually a Double Reverse Etheree, where a second stanza in reverse order (i.e., 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 syllables) is added after the first Etheree.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following poem was inspired by my trip to Brazil in August 2014, where I had the opportunity to work with an organization in Sao Paulo that has a camp outside the city to give poor, inner-city kids the chance to experience nature and get out of the polluted city for a weekend. This page has more information about Camp California (along with a picture of the camp) for reference: http://restorationministriesbrazil.com/whoweare/where-we-work/

Written for the "Verdant Poetry Contest"  (August 2014 Round): Open Prompt