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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Ron LaClair on January 20, 2011, 11:14:00 AM

Title: The power of the fire
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 20, 2011, 11:14:00 AM
Did you ever wonder about the mystical power a campfire has over us? What is it about a campfire that draws us into an almost hypnotic trance. It seems to have the same effect on all who take to the woods and turn to the comfort of a fire when darkness falls.

The thought inspired this little poem.

            The Fire  

The night is dark but I have a friend that keeps the dark at bay

warm and friendly it draws me close sending dark and cold away  

I watch the flames as they dance and play turning wood to coals so red

The glow soon fades and the cold creeps in reminding me it must be fed  

As I stare so deep into the flames, what do I expect to see?

could it be ghost from long ago that are waiting to speak to me?  

Men have stared into such flames for hundreds or thousands of years

In woods at night  the bravest man can know his inner fears  

But I have a friend so I fear not, for it keeps me in warmth and light  

I am safe and warm in the friendly glow.. of my fire... throughout the night


   (http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Ron%20at%20the%20fire.JPG)
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Mudd on January 20, 2011, 11:18:00 AM
Ron I think we share he same fires my friend.

Thank you for this one, it also warms the heart.

God bless,Mudd

PS: Ron you were an inspiration with your poem, it made me have to write. I'd love to share it on/at this campfire site. May I get your permission please?
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on January 20, 2011, 11:19:00 AM
Nice Poem and kool pic Ron..
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Taiga Recurve on January 20, 2011, 11:20:00 AM
A poem that hits a lot of truths. Nice work Ron.   :campfire:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: ron w on January 20, 2011, 11:23:00 AM
I have looked into the same flame!!   :notworthy:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Rick Butler on January 20, 2011, 11:28:00 AM
What things we ponder staring into the flames.  Great poem Ron, thank-you.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: magnus on January 20, 2011, 11:29:00 AM
Thank you Ron. I think we all are looking into the same flame no matter where we are. It is truly a link to the past. Great poem and picture as well.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 20, 2011, 11:29:00 AM
On my screen the picture looks oversize. Anyone else have that problem?
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Tim Fishell on January 20, 2011, 11:30:00 AM
Yeah Ron it's a little big.

Great poem by the way.  Dennis sure can capture some great feeling in his photographs!!    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Mudd on January 20, 2011, 11:32:00 AM
My screen as well.

I edited my 1st post to include a request from/for you Ron. Thank you!

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Rooselk on January 20, 2011, 11:33:00 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v105/Rooselk/Graemlins/G-camp.gif) Excellent. You nailed it. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Stumpkiller on January 20, 2011, 11:34:00 AM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 20, 2011, 11:47:00 AM
Ron, You are a true artist.The poem is so good I think you may have to design some arrows around it and call them Fire Flames.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Cocklebur on January 20, 2011, 12:05:00 PM
Great poem Ron!
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Wannabe1 on January 20, 2011, 12:15:00 PM
Couldn't have said it better myself!   :thumbsup:    :campfire:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Dale Hajas on January 20, 2011, 12:21:00 PM
I have thought as such many times about the calming effects of fire. I also find that same effect from listening to a bubbling brook or small stream of water.

How necessary both are to a complete satisfaction of ones soul.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Terry Lightle on January 20, 2011, 12:28:00 PM
I think a lot of us have looked into that  same fire.Fire watching is part of our sport,just dont do enough of it anymore.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Bow man on January 20, 2011, 12:31:00 PM
:clapper:  Very nice Ron our favorite thing is to sit by the fire ring every evenings
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: longbowben on January 20, 2011, 12:35:00 PM
:clapper:    :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: WESTBROOK on January 20, 2011, 12:38:00 PM
Very nice Ron, as always.  :campfire:  

Eric
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Doc Nock on January 20, 2011, 12:53:00 PM
The old Jack London classic" Call of the wild" harkens to some of the same musings about what lies in watchin a fire dance and glow"

Watchin all those deep embers shimmer and move, a buddy once turned to me after a long silence staring into our fire and said, "I think fire is a liquid".

I still think he's got a point!
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Mudd on January 20, 2011, 12:57:00 PM
Ron LaClair "Yes sir, permission granted"


As I remember the flames of campfires across my past

I am brought to places and faces of friendships and memories that last

I write a note to myself, a simple reminder, points to ponder.

What is to come?

What can I expect?

Multitudes of days are passed, no promise of any more to come.

I can be at peace with the one I'm in.

No Matter what is to be...

for as I've grown older I've learned it's not all about me.

God bless,Mudd

PS: Lesson to be learned... "What others think of me is none of my business!"
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 20, 2011, 12:59:00 PM
Water has a similar effect, a calm mirror like lake or pond that reflects the sky... or a moving stream with it's rapids and swirls that quickly carry our thoughts downstream to an unknown destination.

     (http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Shrew_Country2.JPG)
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 20, 2011, 01:19:00 PM
Very nice Mr Mudd...   :notworthy:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: 1oldbowguy on January 20, 2011, 01:24:00 PM
Very nice indeed!
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: JEFF B on January 20, 2011, 01:41:00 PM
well done you two  :clapper:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Arwin on January 20, 2011, 01:58:00 PM
Very awesome Ron!!!
Water and fire do have similar effects on me too.
 
  I like to make a small fire in my back yard when the urge comes especially in the winter. It has to be something primal, the need to create fire and stare into it.  

 My favorite treestand location has a stream running almost right under me, the sound of it almost puts you in a trance. Here is a pic:

  (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/hunting/0062.jpg)
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: bobman on January 20, 2011, 02:22:00 PM
the glass doors on my woodstove are better than watching TV, way better...
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: glass76 on January 20, 2011, 08:18:00 PM
Ron, will you be adding this poem to the autobiography that you are writing? You can take this as a "nudge" you said you need for motivation to continue writing. There are lots of us waiting.

Scott
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Steve Clandinin on January 20, 2011, 08:25:00 PM
I have wondered all this and my worrys,cares and woes seam to melt away with the flames as the warmth envelopes me to bring true comfort to my tired soul.Only by Fire.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: LC on January 20, 2011, 08:28:00 PM
I LIKE it! Some folks have lots of talents and it amazes me how some can put to words what so many think but can't express. Excellant!
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: NoCams on January 20, 2011, 08:34:00 PM
Just in time Ron ! Here I sit looking into my dark fireplace with NO fire tonight ! Just knew Mason would have one going when I came in from work being that it is misting rain and 33 degrees, miserable weather. Oh well, guess we needed to give it a rest after all we burned last week with the 12" of snow. Bout time to fire up the Husqvarnas now that season is over to replenish the pile......

Some nights it is hard to get off the couch to go to bed when you are in that hypnotic state after sitting in front of the fireplace. Built my house 13 years ago and am blessed with a 21 foot tall stone fireplace right in the center of the house. Had to fight everyone to build it like this and now have to fight everyone out of my seat on the couch ! " What do you want to spend all that money on a fireplace for? " "Well, you are going to put gas logs in aren't you ? " 'Well, you will have to cut wood and carry out all those ashes. ? When it is cold, rainy, or snowing as it has been this year all those naysayers are the ones usually blocking my view to the fire !

Uh oh...... rain has turned to snow and got 1" already ! Hope it turns into another foot again !
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: riverrat 2 on January 20, 2011, 09:20:00 PM
Ron,that was a good poem. I especially like the
verse about how it affects us all the same. that
is eerie in a way,but so true. must be some remnants of our primortal ancestory or something.
here in our Michigan winter,sometimes I'll toss
a nice circular chunk of cherry in the woodstove
and just sit and watch it for awhile. thank you
sir.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Bobhat on January 20, 2011, 09:36:00 PM
I have a fire pit on my property that we use all the time.  Mesmerizing good times around that old pit.   :campfire:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Larry m on January 20, 2011, 09:40:00 PM
Very Nice. I have many fond memories of evenings spent around the campfire. You just brought many of them back. Thank You!!
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Gav on January 20, 2011, 10:21:00 PM
Very nice poem, Ron.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: joekeith on January 20, 2011, 11:27:00 PM
Cracklin' fires, rollin' water, crashin' waves...
it's all Mother Nature givin' us what our souls crave.  :campfire:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: bowslinger on January 21, 2011, 12:35:00 AM
Thanks Ron and Mudd!  Ron, as I read your poem, I thought about the same affect water has.  Then I ran acorss your later post on water having the same affect.  Deja Vu.  Whether it is a primordial connection to two of the basics of survival (water and warmth) that are deep-seated in our psyches or a subtle form of hyponotism that draws us into thought and reflection, it is an amazing common reponse among all peoples.

Campfires and moving water are common denominators that bind all cultures to nature and are a common human heritage.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: ksbowman on January 21, 2011, 08:47:00 AM
Ron, Great poem! I too feel the draw of an open wood fire and it is indeed primal! Nothing warms the soul like wood burning whether it is a camp fire,fireplace or a good old wood stove. Thanks again for the wonderful poem.
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 21, 2011, 08:51:00 AM
Hey Ron do you have one about sitting in a tree stand watching the snow fall and being oblivious to anything else around you.I do it every time it snow's
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Pepper on January 21, 2011, 09:06:00 AM
What a nice poem, it gets to the depth of our souls, as we stare into the hypnotic flames, a form of self critique,and a time for reflection.
Ron you have the unique quality to see prose in all situations.
I look forward to your poems.
Thank you
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: ti-guy on January 21, 2011, 09:17:00 AM
Haaaaaa! Camp Fire neer the shore = Hapiness
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: twitchstick on January 21, 2011, 09:29:00 AM
:campfire:    :campfire:    :campfire:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 21, 2011, 09:34:00 AM
Thank you pepper...   :notworthy:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Mudd on January 21, 2011, 10:07:00 AM
Ron campfires seen through your mind's eye and expressed with your words draws like souls near and warms all of our hearts.

Thank you!

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: paleFace on January 21, 2011, 10:26:00 AM
:campfire:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Matt Fowler on January 21, 2011, 10:55:00 AM
Hey bobman, we open the doors on the woodburner at our cabin to watch TiogaTV (we're in Tioga County, PA). If ya want to change the channel, just stoke it and throw another log on:)
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: leatherneck on January 21, 2011, 11:00:00 AM
Very nice Ron.  :campfire:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 21, 2011, 11:04:00 AM
The stove doors at Shrewhaven are left open much of the time. I've spent many hours in that old chair staring into the flames.

   (http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/cozy.JPG)
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Mudd on January 21, 2011, 11:07:00 AM
Ron this picture speaks fluent "cozy!"

Thanks!

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Shaun on January 21, 2011, 11:10:00 AM
Minus fifteen here this morning - coldest morning of the winter. I've been sitting watching the fire in my fireplace and thinking about hunts past and future. Thanks for the poem.

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/012111003.jpg)
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 21, 2011, 12:05:00 PM
Quote
Ron this picture speaks fluent "cozy!"  
Roy, that's actually the title I gave that picture in my pictures file..   :readit: ..how did you know?..     :eek:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Ron LaClair on January 21, 2011, 12:11:00 PM
Shaun, now there's a place a man  (or woman) can do some contemplating. A warm fire, a comfortable old rocker and a dog at your feet. How could it get any better?...maybe a cup of hot chocolate ?..   :coffee:    


  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/012111003.jpg)
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Covey on January 21, 2011, 12:14:00 PM
We always had a stove at home when I was young. We would open the doors and put the grate on it and watch the fire. Never had a TV, and everything else to distract. I sound old but I'm only 38. Man I miss those day's, lots of good memorys! Nothin like a good fire!  :campfire:  Jason
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: wapiti792 on January 21, 2011, 12:55:00 PM
:campfire:  Man I am going rabbit hunting then going to find my fireplace at home. Thanks for the poem Ron!
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: swamper on January 21, 2011, 05:37:00 PM
nice poem,thanks
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Bonebuster on January 21, 2011, 06:33:00 PM
There ain`t nothin` like a good fire to help you hold still and count your blessings!

Excellent poem Ron.  :D
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: Ray Lyon on January 26, 2011, 07:57:00 PM
Ron,
 You know we've shared a lot of campfires at shoots and Shrewhaven woodstove fires over the years and I cherish them all.  But dang it you made me laugh with your "does this screen make me look big" comment....  :D    :campfire:
Title: Re: The power of the fire
Post by: NoCams on January 26, 2011, 10:36:00 PM
Shaun,
-15, wow that is more than cold bud ! Hope yer wood pile is tall and long ! As I type this I am sitting barefoot cause the two knotty pieces of red and white oak are so hot they are winkin at me. Love to watch them knots burn with all the colors, had lots of green flames this year.

I am also staring at the big 4 point right shed I spotted while in the tree this year. Sure hope to meet up with the owner this coming year. Also thinking about warmer temps in June, sure hope to share a fire or two with everyone at Compton again. The fire seems to remove all clutter and let us really think about the things that matter the most.......   :campfire: