spirit week beckons
dynamic duos, western.
even better: grins.
even behind masks
you can see my girls’ smiles
(it’s hope. returning.)
and the Finger Lakes
connecting the three of us
in this Denver school
let’s not forget hats
of the Colorado kind
western girls, my girls
syllables can’t sew
or piece together quilt art
but her grandma can
haikus can’t capture
the hours of work, the cloth
from her grandma’s trunk
yes. a thousand words.
a thousand hours of love
for her granddaughter
in the midst of darkness
after weeks of moment-by-moment loss
today we have a win
a Green Card on the horizon
of this young man’s dreams
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.
three states, three hours,
a short capital lunch break
before breaking waves
flowing stream, sun bath
is my picture-perfect beach
(dogs and drinks allowed)
more importantly:
teens jumping off the big rock
back to childhood
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
cycle to the wine
a trail along Keuka Lake
and these sweet smiles
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