COUNTRY ROADS

COUNTRY ROADS

I begin to recognize a particular bend

of road, not only by its morning face

or how it looks the other direction

in late afternoon, but with that

simultaneous flash, as the images mesh—

both coming and going at the same time.

Like a film played backwards,

I learn anew the portrait of each bend,

and each curve. Intimacy comes

with the continuum of road;

a thread along the silver needle of the creek

weaving canyons and mountains

into familiar patterns. Exlovers

throwing in their lot with Orpheus,

find a song of common salt

but the mate of the small bird I hit

fluttering by the roadside

has no future at all.

7/13/1987
rev. 6/89

Forestville, CA

Driving along country roads 
their twists and turns remain
secretive until I learn each bend, 
each curve and it unwinds
like an arhythmic ribbon 
the intimacy comes with time
I begin to look forward to certain bends 
that remind me of other roads 
passing under redwood trees at Papermill Creek
Mark West Springs, or along SF Drake
I'm beginning to recognize a particular bend in the road
not ony by its forward face 
but how it looks when I come the other way 
in late afternoon
like film clips played in reverse
there's an odd sensation as the reverse image meshes 
with the current one
the road threads between the mountains
along the silver needle of the  creek.