Grin and Bear It

Toy Story 3. Now.
i could carry the bag out
and cry all morning

a toy, a trigger?
my girl is off to college.
(this is no cartoon).

and so he will stay.
though i know she will leave me.
each grinning their truth.

Sunflower Anniversary

twenty-three years back
i married this blue-eyed boy
who brings me my sun

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.

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

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

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)

cycle to the wine
a trail along Keuka Lake
and these sweet smiles

words cannot describe 
how much these hills feel like home
(what was once my home)

an empty highway,
a rural life, cloudy skies
and. oh yes. this lake.

you can’t picture it.
so let me draw you a map.
my Finger Lakes love.

yes, it’s just a store.
you can only imagine
what a store could be.

Colorado born
yet half my childhood is
upstate New York bred

can you taste the plums?
fresh from the roadside farm stand 
just pop them in. wait.

you’ll be here with me.
choosing the best ears of corn. 
loving, loving life.

summer camp is done.
art, yoga, cycling, love.
and home stretch? cooking.

these so-rare smiles
pouring milk for tortillas 
like happy siblings

did you say siblings?
how about our matching twins
with perfect spring rolls?

don’t forget sushi 
made with Chinese expertise
to brighten their eyes

and fufu for all
stirred by girls from two cultures
finding friends at home

these mandazi men
so proud of their puffed product
all the way from home

taco influence
on the next generation 
sharing her home’s heart

this sweet quesillo
comes from home with a sweet tale
(we’ve hit a home run)

my pup, lake, camp, board:
seemingly perfect weekend
(calm before the storm)

the weather plagues me
sending wind when there was none
and stealing these views

if i could lift wings,
glide pelican-like, headfirst,
it wouldn’t matter

alas, i must walk
through all the humanoid storms
that we’ve created