In Search of Faeries

Summary

"In Search of Faeries" is a free verse poem that reflects on the author's cherished memories of a magical childhood camp, now sold, and the enchanting experiences that shaped her connection to the faerie folklore of the place.

Abstract

The poem "In Search of Faeries" is a personal and poignant piece by Christina Ward, who reminisces about the enchanting times spent at the former Girl Scout Camp Occoneechee in North Carolina. The camp, particularly the cabin named Merry Mill, holds a special place in her heart, evoking a sense of loss and nostalgia after its sale and transformation into a water-sports business. The author's deep emotional attachment to the camp is akin to the bond with her family, and the poem captures her longing to reconnect with the magical faerie realm she once experienced there. Through vivid imagery, Ward invites readers to join her in a journey back to this mystical place, where fireflies guide the way to a secret world filled with costless dreams and the promise of glimpsing the elusive faeries.

Opinions

The author expresses a profound sense of personal loss and heartbreak over the sale and repurposing of Camp Occoneechee, a place that was integral to her childhood.
The poem conveys a strong belief in the magic and whimsy of the natural world, particularly the idea that faeries inhabit the special, hidden places of the camp.
The counselors' stories of faeries are remembered fondly, suggesting they played a significant role in fostering the author's imagination and love for the camp.
The author's experiences at the camp are described as transformative and as cherished as family memories, indicating the deep impact the place had on her life.
The use of sensory details, such as the taste of fruits from secret trees and the sight of fireflies, emphasizes the author's intimate connection with nature and the camp's environment.
The invitation to readers to join in the search for faeries reflects a desire to share the author's sense of wonder and to keep the memory of the camp alive through her poetry.

a free verse poem of whimsy

In Search of Faeries has become a signature poem for me.

This poem is about my reconnecting with this magical place from my childhood — but also preserving the memory of a place that is no more. I wrote this poem shortly after hearing of the sale of the property. It is now a water-sports kind of business based on the lake where I learned to swim. My memories of the camp are as much a part of me as my memories of my family. I was heartbroken when the camp closed and was sold. This poem was from that deep longing to see the faeries of Camp Occoneechee.

Mentioned in the poem: Merry Mill — A cabin located at the former Girl Scout Camp Occoneechee, in the mountains of North Carolina, where I had the joy of spending time camping at throughout my childhood.

Terebithia /Faeries— There was a path down from Merry Mill into the woods. The low lying forest was covered in ferns and very magical. The counselors would take us down the short hike where we’d camp out in the woods, make dinner over the campfire, and listen to their stories of the faeries that lived there.

Author’s photo — I was a CIT this year — bottom row 3rd from right

In Search of Faeries

Merry Mill rises higher on the hill, disappears behind a curtain of green. Woody arms and fingers inter-lace curling pointy welcomes, drawing us in.

Terabithia awaits. Fireflies light the way down the fern-kissed path where tagless, costless dreams hang on secret trees. The fruits wrinkle your tongue if you eat them before the faeries come.

I know they are hiding beneath the mushrooms, tall and wide, lush sacred umbrellas. This time we will see them.

Come with me.

Christina Ward 🌼 is a poet and writer from rural North Carolina.