Inland

Was asked to write something "poetic and romantic" very early this morning. This is what happened instead...


Inland

I wash trace amounts of vodka from my eyes
And brush the sleep out of my mouth
It wasn't too bad a night, physically

Sun shines bright here at 8:30 AM, and
The little dog and I hop in the car
His interest wanes just after I put it into reverse
Where's mine? I wonder

Between the little league-ers and dog park-ers
We disembark, and we strut
There and back, perhaps five minutes' worth
The dog is old
I remain polite but disinterested

Surrounding the baseball diamonds and dog runs
The B-ball courts and playgrounds
Just the other side of an asphalt moat
The desert expanse abounds, the hills near
Lake Hodges only steps away

All was leveled without prejudice
During October's wildfires
Now covered in a sheet of green
As far as I can see
From January's rains
The earth soldiers on

We drive away
I think I'll take the long way back
Down an avenue unique only in name
That hollow feeling creeping in
As I load in a CD

A famous poet is singing,
"Everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies
Someday comes back"

Wide suburban roads splinter
Into endless courts and lanes
Terraces and places and circles
Manicured lawns garnished with SUVs

Purpose-driven people drive by
To the next stoplight, quickly
Or walk, in their walking clothes
Lots of walkers, this being Saturday
Here in Heaven's waiting room

I must get back; there is work to do
It's always best to stay busy
With her voice in my head
The imprints fresh from last night

Holding her would be better
Than missing her so, when she misses me
When we miss us
So far away sometimes
More than distance

Holding her
Like the two animals we are
Bound by time and understanding
And food and sex and laughter
And life
The life of being alive

A famous poet is singing,
"Everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies
Someday comes back"


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