Creek Of My Summers
Creek of my summers – was named Bear Creek and it was roughly three blocks from my childhood home in Sheridan, Colorado. I miss those times of yesteryear, mostly I miss my summers on Bear Creek. Little did my friends and I know that those memories we made on those hot summer days would walk with us through the rest of our lives. One of my most profound memories of the creek of my summers was one year my friends all happened to be on family vacations at the same time leaving me all alone on the bank of Bear Creek. I was far from lonely that summer as I sat in the high grass with my feet dangling in the cool flowing water of Bear Creek, because I discovered new friends and they kept me entertained that summer. My new friends were writers like H. G. Wells, Louis L’amour, Jules Verne, and Edgar Rice Burrows. These men, these strangers somehow knew what I needed that summer while my friends were away and I was never lonely in between the pages of their stories. Yes, a big portion of my wonder years was centered on the – Creek of my summers.
“Creek of my summers”
Now I am a lot older and far away,
I remember, the summers that started in May.
Down to the banks of old Bear Creek,
Young lad dreams, adventures, we would seek.
Bear Creek was not wide, not deep, not swift,
Perfect to give us tykes a summer lift.
We tubed, we swam, and we would wade,
We, as young boys, had it made.
Caught sunburns more than rainbow trout,
Somehow that was what it was all about.
Timeless friends, best of, we were all,
Splashing, dunking, until we would hear our Mothers call.
Going home when day turned to night,
Returning the next day, at early dawn light.
Now I am older and far away,
Smile when I think of young summer days.
By Kurt James
Kurt James © 2016
https://www.amazon.com/Kurt-James/e/B01DTOJ7KC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Where to purchase Kurt James novels and books:
The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, all well-known Denver, Colorado media sources, have highlighted the powerful and evocative work of poet and novelist Kurt James. Focusing on Old West history, Kurt contributes feature articles to HubPages and Creative Exiles, exploring the eerie silence of ghost towns, the thrilling tales of outlaws and gunfighters, and the evocative imagery found in the Rocky Mountains.
Kurt’s early admiration for writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand played a significant role in honing his skills as a storyteller. Twenty-one books (and counting!) transport readers to the Colorado Rockies and the Old West through Kurt’s vivid descriptions; the feel of rough-hewn cabins, the sounds of coyotes howling under starry skies, and the smells of campfire smoke and sagebrush are all palpable.
Find Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry—published by Midnight Wind Publishing—in print copies or digital downloads at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and other excellent bookstores; explore the diverse range of formats available.
Currently in production - The 10th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Lee Moomaw Former Lawman.
Kurt is a proud member of the Western Writers of America, a group that values storytelling.
- Riding the Timberline - May 26, 2025
- Digging up Dreams - September 16, 2024
- As the Years Roll By - November 15, 2023
Wonderful memories you share with us Kurt..Loved the vivid description of Bear Creek and about the summers you and your friends spent there..Enjoyed reading this and thank you so much for sharing..
Thank you Anjana for you thoughtful words
Oh, such wonderful memories to cherish of your Bear Creek and friends. I love poem, Kurt, and your memoir brings back memories of my childhood summer days at the old water hole with my siblings and cousins. Thank you for taking me back to those days for a few minutes. Great work Kurt.
Always enjoy when you stop by Phyliss…
Kurt sounds like a lovely place to be for summer breaks between school years. Great imagery. ~Paul
Thank you Paul for your kind words…..
Thank you for this. It brought me delightful memories of my own summers in the Catskill Mountains of NY.
I would love to see the Catskill Mountains Rasma…. I can only wonder of there beauty
That’s a lot of memories there brother. Thank you.
Thank you my Marty my friend, I was hoping my piece would create memories for those of us that walked those banks.