•
is filled with memories
sweet anticipation
knowing the warmth of your hello
the strength of your handshake
your fond embrace
the stretch down I-5
we’re laughing and singing
miles zipping by
till we spy your exit
then west toward the coast
a quiet buzz of excitement
fills the car
at last we catch sight of your vineyards
as we crest big rock ridge
then the left turn
down your valley road
so beautiful
so familiar
hands on the wheel
I anticipate every bend and rise
every dip
exhilarating
as I navigate the gorgeous vistas
the sound of our tires
as they trundle ‘cross
the narrow wooden bridge
that fords your stream
boulder’d and crystal clear
as it tumbles and falls
brisk from mountain snow-pack
coming round
we see the corridor
of faithful old-growth firs
stepping back for us
inviting our return
the regal mountains reign
high above
granting us safe passage
boughs bend
branches sway
celebrating that we are back
when your gate comes into view
swung open in welcome
it’s left up your gravel drive
the pebble and crushed rock
crunch and clatter in stony rustle
as we traverse your hill
to see you and Michelle
cuddled on your porch swing
your family pouring down the steps
into the yard
beaming bright eyed
arms open for embrace
six hours and 300 miles
separate us
but the journey always goes by
in a heartbeat
the road to a friend’s house is never long
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
a sweet journey =)
Life has its moments Lucy, this is a warm one I tried to capture… 😉
I so enjoyed the variations in the journey.
There was a moment when I felt as if we were going to go down the road marked “physical gratification”…
>>> then the left turn
down your valley road
so beautiful
so familiar
hands on the wheel
I anticipate every bend and rise
every dip
exhilaratiing
as I navigate the gorgeous vistas
>>>>
but then, you surprised me by twisting the words in a slightly different direction.
(This made me want to be a third wheel, along for the ride…I don’t live far from the I-5 myself, you know! ^giggles^)
Thank you Julie, you are most kind. Pleased this touched you. A journey driven by feelings is a physical, sensual thing — if you allow yourself to observe and experience it… 😉
beautifully written and so very true!
Thank you Hoff, very much… 😉
There is so much I like about this…but mostly you remind me how much I like language. You fit it together seamlessly.
Beautiful, you brought me on a road trip!
Thank you Brenda. I love language as well, the sounds of words — I see myself as a craftsman of language, a weaver of words to create a tapestry of thought and emotion… 😉
Very well written. I am glad to have been on the journey. I also agree with you!
Well Loch Rob, you were a fine co-pilot… 😉 Pleased you came along…
lovely poem Rob!
that’s true, distance is never a hindrance in getting to a friend’s wonderful abode where open arms await us!
thanks for sharing Rob!
You are welcome Amity. There is little, outside our immediate family of loved ones, that can be as nurturing as genuine friendship… 😉
Well done Rob. The road is not long and journey is half the fun. 🙂
The treasure is the journey Jeggy, the being there is but a part of the journey… 😉
Your tone and language give me the sense of riding the swells in the road, taking the curves, and of building anticipation as I near the destination. Beautifully done.
Thank you Nara. I wrote the piece with a strong vision of motion, positive motion — a going towards light… 😉
Your descriptions are so clear that I felt I was in the car with you!
Hope you enjoyed the ride Linda, I certainly did. 😉 Their is a darker Yin interpretation of such a journey that I had written a while ago. This is the lighter sunnier expression…
Long or short, it’s always worth the trip.
Friendship, newly bloomed, or deeply rooted, is a fragile special thing. It can go bad, but moreover, it can sadly wither from neglect — and both lose in that scenario… Stan — I hope you someday can make the long journey to September in Oregon , the invitation will always stand… 😉
Living the journey with you brings thoughts and emotions alive and intimate! We are more than the observer, we are a passenger. Beautiful piece of writing!
Thank you Gemma, you are certainly gracious — it was nice having you along… 😉
Lovely poem! And such a true message!
So beautiful. Thanks.