Destination Seattle

Two weeks
too many states
bitter cold, bittersweet

Asia and Blue Parakeet
huddle, heading NW into winter

We stretch legs wandering
Wright Patterson Air Force Museum

Herm Crab has retreated
uncaring that a cold Pacific awaits

Crossing into St. Louis
driving rain obscures the exits
settled in, we reminisce about dining
near the old brick bridge years earlier
tiny porcelain stars from the hotel gift shop
will create new Christmas memories

Frances Bullfrog sloshes
state after state, unwilling to
stay in the garden pond, be sold
like so much chattel to new owners

Routine until a back door
slams in the raw Wyoming wind
water and glass everywhere

What is it about boys and men
stopping a car on the plains
to shoot rifles into the nothingness

Cottie the rabbit came too
leaving her meander through the woods
on hind legs and peering out the back window
she thinks it just might be an adventure

Hotels come – and go
we drive for days toward sun that never sets

At Snoqualmie summit it begins to snow
heartbreakingly beautiful, filled with peace
next stop Seattle – new ship, new cruise