Mountains and other Places

1.

I can't imagine

my life

without the mountains.

The glory of a sunset

framing gentle peaks

and winter snow caps

that sparkle almost to the point

of blinding.

In the mountains 

it's always

hard to say

what's to come because of the

necessary bends

in the road in order to avoid

the boulders strewn at random

by the glaciers that made these

mountains

so many years ago. 

2. 

Unpredictability

is unavoidable

surrounded by mountains.

Winter storms

circle

until we're buried

and summer rains

get trapped inside the fenced in ring

of peaks.

In Spring, it's hard to make plans

because there are so many days

that start sunny

and end with surprise snow. 

In Summer

humidity drains water

from our bodies

and lends it to the air.

We're forced to swim through life

with no life jackets allowed.

We wear layers

year round

so we can have enough on

but at times there's only just so much 

you can take off.

On August evenings

we find excuses to grocery shop

to hide out in the ice cream aisle

until half the lights go out - 

a warning that we're about to be

expelled

back into the oppressive atmosphere

where we continue to pray - 

to beg - 

for one of those Springtime monsoons

to clear the air

so we might be able to breathe

once again. 

3. 

multi-colored fingers of cliome

stretch

to the sun.

Pink, white and purple

complimentary hues 

hide the true nature of the sharp thorns

that pierce curious fingers

eager to take home their beauty

in a vase. 

4. 

Eddies in the water.

Ripples

against the current

caused by things

unknown.

Constantly changing - 

this way

to that way

and back around again.

What lies

under the surface of this river?

What lies

under the surface of this face?

To cause the eddies

to rise and swirl

to waltz and spin

to hold hands for a moment

and break apart again.

5. 

Fingerlings of branches

hold fast the plastic chair.

It's color

meant for camouflage

clashes against water's surface

and slats like twin ladders

give space for the eye to climb.

The brown and blue ripple of river

below

the washed out blue of sky

above

and a lonesome chair

stuck drowning in between both.