Eleven Miles from Nowhere

even with the wind
we’ve mastered outdoor spaces
and earned this sunset

Road Trip 2020 (Swim Me a Snake)

the river’s icy

the current is too strong, son

but no one stops us

i can never look

without wanting to dive in

to fully swim. live.

they get this from me.

these kids who are not my kids.

these kids who are mine.

we swim for ice cream.

for these fleeting memories.

for their childhoods.

Road Trip 2020 (Montana Cycles)

a path with a view

a waitress with attitude

a lake with my pup

a man saved my wheel

after a two-mile chase

’cause life’s a cycle

Road Trip 2020 (Montana, Day Three)

all arguments end

with a smooth lake and mountains

(just enjoy the view)

Floating, Not Fleeting

summer beach farewell

to friends she’ll maintain for life

(love’s in her nature)

Road Trip 2020, Day Ten

that long Kansas road

alleviated by teens

learning to drive home

Road Trip 2020, Day Eight

along a river

this fairy tale ferry stop

has stood a beacon

in muddy waters

kids get to be kids all day

while mamas paddle

nature is our home

found in Kentucky fire

lit by desire

Road Trip 2020, Day Six (Turtles and All)

a creek paddle day

brings every boat together

for swimming and grins

Road Trip 2020, Day Five

if only these pics were perfect

as perfectly peaceful as they appear

and no one lost a phone (and all the love attached) to a lake

and no one said they hated each other

and no one lied to their mother

and no one cried.

but life isn’t this lake

this quiet Kentucky fishing lake that we ruined with six screaming kids and one barking dog

this peaceful lake for paddling or praying or both

this swimmable, all-ours, wake-free lake.

Life is this lake, isn’t it?

Perfect and not so perfect.

Road Trip 2020, Day Three

nothing like my park

and isn’t that so perfect?

vines, dogs, shade, creeks, peace.

nothing like my path

and isn’t that so perfect?

sun, hills, curves, town, bike.