before the long drive,
enjoy the perfect park. shop.
soak up cousin time.
eat your sister’s meal
till the next time you see her.
too long (just too long).
your daughters will drive.
together, we can make it.
we will rule the night.
it’s all we can rule
with the oldest off to school
we can rule the night.
cycling through hills
of perfectly green horse farms
before paddling
bucket lists are short
but should include Kentucky
for its soft beauty
Kentucky surprise:
shadows, trees, sun, nieces, joy,
progressive murals
don’t assume you know
the beliefs of a red state
until you’ve been there
my grandparents’ store
in this perfect little town
where they’ll always rest
Uncle Tim’s hard work
built for them from the ground up
(now he’s retired)
the pond where we swam
and where i brought my toddler
now off to college
how harsh time can be
taking everything away
yet giving us life
the Constitution
(a ship in Boston Harbor)
has won my man’s heart
a tavern lunch date
for our last family road trip
with all of our girls
all grown up, my girls
(they’ve been everywhere with us)
and soon they will fly
this “bike path” presents:
sea-level cycling; beach
(rode on Rhode Island)
there’s seafood here, too.
and family filled with smiles
and gardening goals
three states, three hours,
a short capital lunch break
before breaking waves
you can’t understand
the traffic-less upstate life
till you’re on the road
the road with vineyards
and wineries everywhere
the empty lake roads
you can’t understand
waterfalls till you’ve seen these
cutting out gorges
if you knew, you’d know
just how perfect this place is
(it’s carved in sandstone)
but you’re not here, right?
so let me spill this clear view:
it’s a waterfall
it’s a waterfall
that feeds this glacial magic
(also named heaven)
carrying kayaks
down for a pup-and-paddle
oh the lake, the lake
a day on the lake
clear, glistening perfection
formed by hills, glaciers
with a loving pup
and our nearly-grown daughters
the day is a gift
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