eighteen years ago

my Airman spent a night here

(a dream to return)

my fearless oldest

ran past these slippery rocks

to get the best view

plaza restaurants

might be my Spanish favorite

flowers and food… right?

who knew peregrines

could nest on this patio

while we visit Spain?

Torre Tavira:

to see what sailors once saw

from Spain’s oldest port

caramelized goat cheese

on a dense tuna filet

is my favorite food

Atlantic sunset

rare sight for Coloradans

gold celebration

drive Iberia

you’ll see more than yourself here

beyond olive trees

before he clears our free olives,

before we’ve finished our cervezas,

before we go to bed after walking eight miles,

i hold my hand up.

“Ah, sí, toma… el último es el mejor”

and i pop onto my tongue

the tangy, peppery, almost-sweet blend

i’ve waited five years to relive,

knowing i’m nowhere near Minnesota–

i’m in Spain, where we save the best for last.

exhausting travel

leads to a quaint apartment

in Madrid’s center