Tangles & Tails: Tracey Kiff-Judson's Blog

Peaceful Getaways

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Written by: Tracey Kiff-Judson
Category: Blog

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted for Poetry Friday, and I have so missed everyone's words, wit, and wisdom!

We’ve been trekking around Maine and Canada for a bit – lovely this time of year. I had the pleasure of meeting one of my critique partners for the first time on Prince Edward Island.

We also had some interesting experiences during border crossings. Going into Canada, the border patrol gave us the side eye, ushered us and our dog to a waiting area, and rifled through the RV and car. We must have looked fishy somehow! On the way back into the US, we had to turn over our eggs, clementines, a lemon, and a lime. In retrospect, we definitely should have researched what we we’re allowed to transport back into the US. (Apparently, citrus is a big no-no.) Other than that, it was truly a peaceful getaway.

Which brings me to my entry in Renee LaTulippe’s 2026 vacation-themed summer poetry contest. I decided to try a villanelle on for size. Thank you to my Poetry Friday friends for featuring this form on occasion. You introduced me to the villanelle. You are such wonderful teachers and poets!

 

Peaceful Getaway

 The stuff we carry on our backs:
a tent, our clothes, the onion dip?!
If only I could just relax.

My backpack’s loaded to the max.
But his? Unstressed. I bite my lip.
The stuff we carry on our backs.

Up the cliff?! We lug our packs.        
Hanging by a fingertip!
If only I could just relax.

A mountain lake! We follow tracks.
Skinny dip? …perhaps. We strip!
The stuff we carry on our backs.

But wait… Suppose a moose attacks!
CLOTHES BACK ON – GET A GRIP!
If only I could just relax.

Tent collapse…   crushed      our      snacks.
Can you QUIT a camping trip?
THE STUFF WE CARRY ON OUR BACKS –
IF ONLY I COULD JUST RELAX!

© Tracey Kiff-Judson


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Congratulations to all the contest winners. Many wonderful entries, as always! Alas, this poem did not draw the admiration of the judges, but I had fun diving into the villanelle form and writing this sassy poem.

I look forward to your poetic insights this week and, as always, learning something new.

Please visit Mona Voelkel for this week’s Poetry Friday roundup and a lovely poem about her wishing rock that wishes to return to the sea with her wish.

26 comments

  • Love your villanelle, Tracey! I have to confess that I would never relax if I were tent camping, lol. Get me a cabin every time! :) 
  • Haha, Tracey! This is funny. Relaxing is like falling asleep for me. The more I tell myself to "just do it," the less able I am. Sounds like y'all had quite the adventures!
  • I love the way your villanelle reads, feels a bit like hiking along a trail. I can hear you huffing along, peeking behind just in case, a moose! Love that "But wait...", Tracey! I'm sure I can't do it anymore, but I have been hiking & camping in the Rockies, with bear spray, my husband & students! I love that you've shared your adventure so wonderfully!
  • I love the humor in your villanelle, still smiling from it–and the risqué, "Skinny dip? …perhaps. We strip!" What an event your camping trip became, sounds like a good story to share with The Moth Radio Hour. So glad you didn't have a moose encounter, thanks! ☺️
  • Tracey, you provided a hilarious adventure in a villanelle (which I have never tried). Good for you to enjoy your vacation with a few challenges along the way. You were quite bold skinny dippy but perhaps the water was not too cold. Keep your humor up and write some more humorous poems.
  • One for the memory book, Tracey (the vacay)... Now I want the rest of the story (like, how did the tent collapse??)
    P.S. So glad to "see" you here! I miss your poetic presence!
  • Thanks for the chuckle this morning, Tracey! I love the way the emphasis on the words in that last line progressed.
  • Tracey, I missed you. Glad you are back. The description of your crossing the border made me smile--the side eye and the confiscation of your citrus. Love the villanelle with all the excitement. Lots of smiles within it. Your description as sassy is perfect. I read some of the placing poems from the contest, and I see there was a lot of competition. I saw Mona made the long list too. Congratulations to her. 
    • Thanks, Denise! I've missed seeing your delightful posts too! Yes, I was so happy to find so many of my friends on Renee's list! 
  • Love this, Tracey! We camped in PEI one summer and our tent flooded. Picture us folding up that sopping tent, throwing into the back of our Jeep because the rain just kept coming. What a beautiful place, and we had a great time, until the flooding rains. :) 
    • Oof! Rain and tents don't mix, no matter how waterproof they claim to be. Glad you had a good time up until then! : )
  • LOL this is sweet and funny and clever. I LOVE camping and really appreciated all the self deprecating humor here...
  • I love this poem, Tracey, and was happy to see it again. Sounds like a lovely summer of traveling. Hope you are feeling renewed, refreshed, and inspired! 

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