Red Cloud Road

A poem written on a recent visit to America. Discovered leaving Nevada, through Arizona to California.

Kickin' up the dirt
At the end of Red Cloud Road
Day by day, scorching desert play
This life, nothing shall be owed

My father was the caretaker
Tending the old mineral mine
Shut down again, that was when
My family moved here for a time

My mother helped my dad
Our life never settled in
All around, from town to town
Gypsies chancing for a win

'Go outside and find some fun!'
Mother would always scream
'Other boys would forget their toys,
In this here playground like a dream.'

And so it was each day
Taking my lone self out to play
Desperate heat, no easy feat
Kickin' up red dirt all the way

The canyons would invite me
Offer shade and cool to sit
Climbing high, to touch the sky
Owning freedom for a bit
-------------------------------------------

Adorning their best outfits
Friday shining in their eyes
Fantasy Springs, a casino that brings
Hope within it's gambling lies

They glance over their shoulders
I'm told not to leave the house
Locked and stowed, at Red Cloud Road
Scared and quiet as a mouse

They return home fueled with drink
No money left for dreams
In my bed, filled with dread
I listen to their screams

Escaping very early
My playground said to offer 'fun'
Kickin' dirt, not understanding hurt
Tears dry quick in desert sun
------------------------------------------

Silent gaze upon the distant road
Perched high on this desert rock
Trucks and cars, traveling far
My journey begs to leave this flock.....

The end of Red Cloud Road
Kickin' up dirt is where i'd be
Not for long, soon I'd be strong
To wander far and free

Reviews

[Richard McLin]

Those states are very hot, and your description of it is pitch perfect. Great job on a great piece.
-Richard

[Mari' Emeraude]

I'm paralyzed at my computer! I can feel everything from the 'heat, to the sorrow, to the baking sun. This poem OVERFLOWS with emotion. I am not fond of the desert Southwest because I abhor the heat. A great poignant picture of a sad, lonely and (maybe bored) little girl kicking the dust up welled up in my mind. I think she was probably happy to finally escape (wink!)

[KWP]

Hey Mari - so nice of you to take the time to read this - it was my first poem on this site all that time ago :)

[Mari' Emeraude]

well ya picked a good one!!

[Anand Sehgal]

Our life never settled in
All around, from town to town
Gypsies chancing for a win


--------- You have said too many things in these lines. Brutally honest write :)

[KWP]

hello my friend - its been a while :) hope all is well on your side and thanks so much for the read - this is a real old one - I must get back to writing poetry X

[Kathy Van Kurin]

KWP,
Well, this writing was like a letter or a train of thought within a journal or just an effort to put into sense your young turning point of life. I was satisfied to see the reality of how your heart and mind came through this dry period in your childhood."Red cloud road" the title itself is so fitting for what you share here and I found the form; a two part play to be so dramatic and emotionally intense. the phrase "kickin up red dirt" really is a theme to the future casting away of empty and formless dust to simple go away later.. I also liked "friday shining in their eyes to no money left for drink. What a story this was!!! Thank you for sharing this vulnerable, beautiful, dark and fascinating write from your (I think your very young life.)
Bless you so vermuch.............................Kathy

[KWP]

hey there Kathy,

well thank you for your lovely review - this is an old one of mine, but it is one of my faves - I actually came across a place in the desert when travelling through America that sparked this poem. There was an old mine - clearly closed and from then I knoew I had to write this poem. It actually has nothing to do with my childhood - just a story in a poem of a kid who sees what is wrong in his world but an also see the right. You are a gem - thanks for reading XXX

[Kathy Van Kurin]

KWP,
Now that is a clever Idea, something I''d not ever thought to do- fiction as a poem..........hmm. Your inspiring me there. Ok so that does create a new prospect. This is exciting to know.. Well anyway Now I see where you are coming from in this. It makes sense. So I have just read it through again and I see how you have created a scenario of posiibilies to the happenings for a period and a place within the reality and a time; gambling and people in a desolate place..........Kathy

[KWP]

Hey Kathy - I have also done the same thing with another poem called - um - wow whats it called - Silent W***e - and I just spotted another one called City Shame (which is a different style for me again) but both of these I t ried to put myself in someone else's shoes if only for a moment (they are both on my last page of writing I believe - I would love to hear your thoughts :) XXX I promise to get over to your writing soon - but my head is in fixing my website just now - argh!

[Kathy Van Kurin]

You do a good job! It takes some thinking I am sure and defineitly imagination. You have that as well. I am inspired and warmed. Bless you as always...............Kathy PS I will try to remember to read your to suggestions, sounds like a plan!

[KWP]

It's a plan ... take a picnic :D

[Samuel Dickens]

This is great. It seems you had quite a time in that southwestern desert. I spent some time there in my younger days, and will always remember the beauty of it--especially those sunrises!

[KWP]

Hey There Samuel - so lovely to make your acquaintance :) - oh yes I had a great time trippin all over California, Nevada, and Arizona - one of my fav places in Death Valley and my fav being is General Sherman the Sequoia - each time I see him he gives me peace - much love from my side X

[emmajoy]

'And so it was each day -- Taking my lone self out to play -- Desperate heat, no easy feat -- Kickin' up red dirt all the way'

Decided to go back to your beginnings in the Cafe. And what have i found, this poem?! Have read it twice, now trying to paint pictures in my mind.. and you know, it's quite an easy thing to do. Why? You've coloured each line with such a powerful reflection of place, people, dialogue and for me, abject isolation. Tis a marvellous write, near perfect meter, a sense of being somewhere that shaped a child's life in so many ways..gave more strength, more adaptability, more of more. Tis sad but.. inspiring - , especially in those final five words.

[KWP]

Oh wow yes you really pulled this one off the 'Ol track :-))) ... I was in America 2013/14 and whisky driving I saw a sign to Red Cloud Rd and that's where the thought came from ... This was a fun write for me and since you of all stopped by ... Well that's a perfect moment right there X X

[emmajoy]

My pleasure whilst relaxing before work, trying to catch up on 2,999,000 owed reviews! Which reminds me.. what's da time?! Ooops.. tarrah for now.

[KWP]

Oh so I am not the only one with that many reviews to get to ... Ahhhhhhh well X

[emmajoy]

Could beat you hands down and pen found! :)

[Vishuddha]

On a southwest, red dust prairie, I once lived lonely too. You describe it beautifully and remind me of days long forgotten. Thanks, gypsy girl.

[KWP]

Thanks for reading V - I loved that part of the earth / in situde we can be found - if we allow it X

[Valentine]

This is a very deep and a sad write. I pray you do not judge all of people and places ...as lots of places are wonderful. Valentine

[KWP]

Haha I have travelled far and wide and love and accept every alley way ... These words merely inspired by the landscape - thanks for reading X

[Sindu]

Well, that has so many highs and lows! You paint a great picture for the reader to see. An emotional ride of greed and money playing their toil, families trying to keep it together and the wide eyed dreams of getting out. I think I get you :)

[Matching Socks]

What a journey of emotion. Just wonderful my friend. I loved the flow of the poem as it carried me through this story.