For Friends

the smell of dirt
winding roads through forests and mountains
and lives
gratitude for such kindness shown
such care

closed springs
rain, sleet, snow
beware the pizza in Quincy...

laughter from the gut
from the deepest places
gurgling up and out
and spilling over the three of us
on this night of many misadventures

campfire finally found
we sit
sleep outside
on the ground
under the star-shine
the river lulling us to sleep
and singing us from dreams
in the cold fresh
morning

not quite over yet
pack it up
and then...
dead battery.
the engine sputters
and we all exchange looks
and laugh
get the car jumped
pile back in
and we're on the road again