our youngest driver
plowing through rain, construction
toward the great Erie
our road trips have changed
as the girls become adults
yet, they’re still the same
local food, great views,
the ever-changing weather,
seeing every state
a mostly-packed car
drives us all to Iowa
(mostly all, that is)
packed up and ready
with the bikes fully secured
for our summer trip
a packed-up cooler
electric, adaptable:
symbol of planning
itinerary
revised, rewritten, reread,
printed for Plan Z
(there is no Plan Z)
there is just the dream, the trip
on these four tires
eighteen long months late,
we celebrate our friendship
of thirty short years
she survived COVID
now, we're both vaccinated
to celebrate love
what a perfect place
green grounds, infinity pool
for endless friendship
sunset’s golden light
shines brighter in the mountains
with my perfect pup
the mountains call us
with their peak views, quaking aspens
(listen for the call)
a hellish week (year)
but we are nearing the end
and it’s so damn sweet
no beach silhouette
could compare to mountain snow
with my boys up front
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
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