Poetry By Nate Darden

Gerry Dincher CC



Sledding in the summer

Us grandkids, newest generation of cousins, woke up to a cool breeze weaving 
through cracked bedroom window, the chill of mountain air lingering 
on our arms and toes. Bacon grease, black coffee, marlboro reds filled our nostrils, 
dancing through the old house. We’d look over at each other, smiles on our faces. 
From bed to bed, we jumped out of our quilts, pajamas still on as we raced 
through the halls. Dodging aunts, uncles, the old boxer sleeping in the corner. 
Sprinting through the kitchen, out the backdoor to the rusted shed. A beech branch serving 

as makeshift lock, sole obstacle to treasure waiting patiently inside the old building. 
The sleds were older than all of us. The hemlock green turned yellow, currant red to blush. 
Faded from summers, and winters alike. Both had handles for those more cautious, 
those scared of tumbling, rolling down into the creek. Each cousin took turns 
riding plastic steeds. Shredding morning dew, a hillside slip and slide. We tested
who could go fastest, never able to truly keep time. Hems of flannel pajamas drenched, 
bare feet pruned from running up and sledding down. Only stopping for breakfast.

We forgot about those sleds years ago, when the smell of coffee stopped 
dancing through the summer halls, once we became the ones who smoked. 
They lay in the back of the shed untouched, beech branch still serving as lock.

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Nate Darden is currently pursuing his M.A. in English at East Tennessee State University. Nate’s poetry dives into the nuances of his familial and romantic relationships, detailing the intricate emotions that come along. His work has previously been featured in Carolina Muse Literary & Arts Magazine, 7th-Circle Pyrite, The Crawfish, and ETSU’s student journal, The Mockingbird. He currently lives in Johnson City, Tennessee. You can find him on Instagram @nate_darden.