Red Cloud Road

A poem written when leaving Arizona to travel through Nevada and back to California

Kickin' up the dirt 
At the end of Red Cloud Road 
Day by day, scorching desert play 
This life, nothing is ever 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 to be free.

Reviews

[Justin]

that was very good, i enjoyed reading it :) :)

[Devesh]

You sure as hell know how to tell a story! This poem was an assault on the senses, the images being especially powerful. Thank you for sharing, keep writing great poetry! :))

[KWP]

Why thank you sunshine ... So happy you liked it :-) thanks so much for reading x x x

[Devesh]

You're most welcome :)

[Woody]

amazing, K. you write with such ease. this is a story told in verse. when I was reading, images came unbidden and it felt as if I were there, kicking the dirt with the kids, waiting for the moment to wander far and to be free.
i really enjoyed that.

[KWP]

yay !!! glad you liked it thanks for reading chickky chick x x

[Rossen]

Red cloud road such a poem worthy sign. I too know the drive. you have a song in this
and more good write


Rossen

[KWP]

not with my voice .. hahaha ... thanks for reading chick ... driving the road, lost in thoughts xxx :)

[redflutterby]

Ive made that trek out west a few times....through Arizona and Nevada all the way to southern California. This poem pulled at some old memories for me. That feeling of being at the whim of adult decisions and strife. Longing to be free of it all but not being old enough to say "Hey...ive had enough of this crap!"

Amazing write hun... ;-)

[KWP]

thank you lovely ... i like it out there ... in your own solitude you can find peace x x

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Makes me think of a trip we took when I was young, traveling some states here on the west coast visiting family and seeing the beautiful sires mother nature offers… a wonderfully descriptive piece that puts me dead center of the imagery.

[KWP]

thanks for reading Mr D. I am glad you enjoyed it .. i wanted to write a poem to remind me of my travels ... i passed Red Cloud Road on my journey and like the name and that is what popped forth

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Then that was the right title, the best work of any writer is what flows out without thinking.