I. Peaks Island, ME
The sun hemorrhages
into a crisp horizon, smearing the wandering cirrus clouds while phlegm
unfurls from my lungs, and the Atlantic Ocean aches at the thought of
being treated like the perfect spittoon.
II. Philadelphia, PA
In the soft light of
a city park, where dusk drizzles down to coat tender urban angels, the
sound of a trumpet implants in my ear, and I think of oceans.
III. Russell, KS
Loneliness
illuminated by a long stretch of highway, no tolls, only the occasional
billboard to exercise my eyes in a place where there are no trees to
stab at the sky.
IV. Raton, NM
Through the hypnotic
pendulum of windshield wipers and the drone of talk radio, a puzzled
black bear cub contemplates the asphalt, and only after our eyes meet do
I change the station.
V. Port Townsend, OR
Seagulls guffaw, the
last ferry whistles a distant tune, and I put toes to the water.
