through Cumberland Gap
we drive down to Tennessee
and stand in three states
it’s been many years
(the gap between visits here)
and everything’s changed
Pappy’s room is new
with the antique furniture
from their grandparents
a whole new kitchen
to fill Donna’s empty nest
with the light of love
this generation
will take the time to teach them
and fill in the gaps
they’ll learn who came first,
what they fought for, what they lost;
close gaps, open eyes
winter sunrise strokes
as soft as with a paintbrush
with red glow on snow
power lines define
the hidden energy here
ready to rise up
a long-shadowed pup
feels tall in the morning light
ready for the day
sunrise to sunset
i follow the moon and sun
winter outdoor joy
i am not here now
forever staring at screens.
i am here. on skis.
i’ll grasp this aspen
framed by its own starry night
when i need some peace
powder power pulls
relentlessly through the snow
bringing us to light
not what i had planned
(before we were so broken)
yet bright, all the same
snow arrived today.
soft, slippery, it snuck in
and brought back this piece:
in the purple night
on our perfect patio
completion beckons.
before dawn arrives
the snow still touches the sky
with white fingertips
snow like stardust
sparkling in morning light
to begin our day
a cold winter walk
along the Colorado
right where it begins
a hot springs retreat
to strip the cold off our skins,
bring heat to our bones
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