packing back with you

It's said, and I believe
The best way to relive something is to witness someone experience it
for the first time

And with you
the air bristled with an energy
pine sharp
sunlight crisper
and the clever cadence of your words
to jolt me out of
the long stretches
of trail silence
from my childhood
where TV jingles pounded heedless
for hours
over
and
     over
with the steady tread on dust
my feet.

No, something so exciting
about you, but as natural,
you,
conjuring alien chases across the tree roots
and brushing meadow reeds
our arms
in our wake.

I know you are experiencing
it
differently,
through eyes that have never
glimpsed this place,
but both in awe
we gasp
when we stumble to the
top of each crest,
our clothes plastered to us
with sweat,
hearts bursting and
shoulders set in defiance
or defeat.

2 lizards,
10 lizards,
a snake,
pumping water
stretched across a rock
waterfall pounding
glistens afront the jagged ragged
peaks
as we climb
and our toes numb
the view around the corner
becoming increasingly tremendously
and water fording
We sprawl in a boulder's exposed
crack
Trip through down the
sharp undergrowth
and venture back
to hang it all in a tree
and watch the curious moon
try to socialize
with distant stars...

We discussed and we did
ate slept
and moved through our world
in the ultimate collision of
hearts and minds
And I can't imagine a soul here
I'd have rather gone with.


post dedicated to NNP, my dear friend

to my fiery resilient mother, on 52

(I wish words and signifiers could do her justice)

to you,

nothing less than a birthday sonnet:

Eyes narrowed she walks face into the wind

When home: Penny's rug, pot roast at 10 till

The three minute drive, she can finally grin

Starkly efficient she revs up the hill

Tell me there's someone who does it better

Why are we always looking for the sale?

To sis and me, she's rock solid, and were

we patient, we'd know from her how never to fail

Gaudy? No, she's color-coordinated

Loyal, dame of Compassion, and as a

matter of fact, perfection goes unstated

as she keeps our whole dizzying world at bay

'course Dad completes her; yet your Teddy bears declare

Mom we love you so much, you're always there!