Going Home

There’s a sleepy haze on the mountain this morning
Curling up through the trees in smoky wisps
Sun wanting so badly to burn through
The water’s that eerie shade of copper-leached blue

Cooler now as Summer’s steam ebbs
Stunning sassafras… first to don autumn dress
Making a splash through puffed spires
Of spindled evergreens…rivaling impressionist’s stroke

The hairpin highway’s moist with moondown dew
Winding between the early shadows and sun sprays
I walk sheltered beneath nature’s verdant canopy
Her leaves on the verge of fall

I know every turn and twist of this road
Every inch of smoke vine snaking up
The lichen-laced bark of her tall pines
Every holiday vestige the summer flocks left behind

The Joe Pye Weed and Trillium remember me
I am a common visitor to their cob webbed havens
Of dahlia lined split rails, cool mosses, and Fraser Fir forests
Hidden waterfalls man and time forgot

I know the path to this haven,
I memorized the way…let me show you
I have reached  my destination…
I am welcomed here…I am  home…

Taylor Ryan

September 2007

Inspired by the past weeks journey to visit my Mother and Father in that special place I call home. Dare I admit I wrote most of it while driving? The remainder honed while in that beautiful place I love to write about and you see frequently in my poetry. There is something so freeing about the fresh air and sunshine on the creative imagination. Maybe it’s just the relaxation factor or all the memories that seem to collect for me here. My overdue break from too many long weekends full of work and life as usual comes to an end as I retrace my steps of a week or so ago and journey back to the pace of civilization this morning. Don’t worry, I come home as often as I can. I’ll bring you back here with me  in words…often.

For you, Mom,
My love,

Taylor  ;- )