Memories and smoke

  It's that time of year for burning leaves. Now that's an activity that has been on the decline for some time now. I had a neighbor lady that did that almost as a religion. She raked those leaves in large piles throughout her yard. Then each pile was transported to the edge of the driveway, we lived on a dirt road. Her actual drive was "paved" with clam and scallop shells, over an inch deep from years of dumping them. The garden hose was stretched out and handy. Those leaves were put to the flame and the smoke rose into the sky. I just loved the smell of those burning leaves and would stand in that smoke. You could smell that on my "play" coat most of the winter. Aunt Francis, as we called her, no relation, tended the fire as we kids brought more leaves from those piles scattered across the lawn. 

  Burning leaves, sticks or any kind of wood outdoors is a pastime I have always enjoyed. I don't know I guess it stirs that pioneer spirit in me. At my house we just had a burn barrel. A 55 gallon drum that sat on some cinder blocks. My brother had taken a hatchet and made some vent holes near the bottom. It worked well and was quite safe actually. It didn't have the same appeal as a open fire though. It was more of an urban feeling, civilized  and tame. I liked that campfire style with a hint of danger involved. I just liked the snap and crack and occasional flying embers! Man, that made you come alive. I have done so on a few occasions right here in Greensboro. The town has established hours and rules about that although I'm not real familiar them. I was never questioned or challenged on that. The Police did once inform me I couldn't shoot a BB gun in town. That was well over twenty years ago now and I still laugh about that. 

  My son just purchased a new home. It has a bigger yard than his previous place and will have far more leaves. I do plan on doing some burning outdoors. There is already a makeshift firepit under a tree in that backyard. It will do fine as long as the flame is kept low. Personally I don't like the location and would relocate that to a more open area. I'll talk to my son about that. His new home is surrounded by a small wooded area. I really like that even though the idea of a forest is just an illusion. The woods are in reality only fifty feet or less in depth. Still, it gives you that rustic feel. Nothing like burning stuff outdoors. I'm not a big fan but there is always s'mores to be made. And yes, s'mores will be made over those sticks, leaves or whatever. Not much concern about "dangerous" fumes or chemicals. I know, I know, you shouldn't do that. Well, I'm just not concerned at all. 

  Some time back I wrote a poem about burning leaves. I'm including that here:

                                            

                                                                Memories and Smoke 

On the scent of burning leaves,

I'm transported to a time

Filled with love and laughter

The childhood that was mine

Memories surround me

like a gentle hug

Pulling on my heartstrings

with a gentle tug

So far away, yet so near

the years passing by

I can see them drifting

like clouds in the sky

Each passing picture different

Somehow still the same

An ever changing landscape

Only memories remain

Now the wind has shifted

I'm transported once again

To the place I'm standing

Delighted to have been 

                                      A.B. Reichart