rolling hills of blue heather
wet with dew
chased by howling winds of legend
snaking dunes buttress the seaside
bristling with stiff grasses
and the most amazing flowers
seeking nothing but a short life
in the cold sun
dream of joining them in the sand
undulating landscapes of lavender
that scent the air
for hundreds of miles before they’re sighted
by some magic raising the souls of weary desperate men
who are caught in the wafting breezes
closer to heaven
wild eyed impact mountains face the ocean
appear startled at the suddenness of their creation
rising up and capped with snow
pierced with fjords that disappear in the mist
beset with floating emerald islands
that vanish as if by sorcery
only to reappear again
more beautiful than ever
the languid way grass bends with the wind on a open prairie
saying nothing except we hear an elongated sighing
that draws tears from everyone who passes with a heart
and lives in a dream
a continent of steaming jungle
a brazen cradle
is outrageous
that place demands attention
and tries to kill you when you enter
to seek
the mystery of green fire
escape is when you
separate yourself from nature with acres of animated concrete
wrapped around your shoulders like a mendicants cloak
as you return from some sacred journey
stacks of meaningless symbols
of transient wealth
holding out the promise of simple treasures
diamonds embedded in the sidewalks
walk amid grains of gold who amble freely
within the confines of a congested village
set upon a stolen island
such delicious secrets on display
when worlds collide
and some are cursed
life’s little pleasures
that speak
in a language with few spoken words
the traveler responds in cryptic gestures
hands and eyes in all directions
cloak themselves in thin disguise
play this game of the revenant
adapting to this invitation
stepping in and out of time
you master of the clouds
senses come alive
when you tell your stories
to strangers
stripping naked expectations
breathless and unburdened
you vomit up
exhilaration in short breaths
and key strokes
huffing in anticipation
the entire meaning of life
fails to appear
except in random order
etched in these memories
no decadent meanderings
the seekers world fails description
glittering shards cascade
like falling rain
it’s an empty feeling
never being satisfied
sure that no one understands your need
to see it all again
to do what you desire
life’s little pleasures
a haunting addiction
J West Hardin Road Trip 