Before the sun
we fly
farther
darker
sleepy
quiet
beverage carts
bump
clank
squeeze
we gaze outside
the moon high
like a diamond
the sun peeking
dusky orange behind
gracing home
making a day
new
we fly
west
toward
dry desert
shadowy mountains
Sky Harbor and
then the place
nestled
between the
cerulean Pacific
and the
bordering Lagunas
Before the sun
we fly
Five hours
change
every
thing
Write on,
b
A typical Thursday
I took my place at the table
across from my supervisor
draft documents
pacing guides
laptops
blanketed our workspace
"Before we get started with our agenda, I have a favor to ask you."
"I received an invitation to a conference in a couple weeks and with my schedule, it simply isn't possible to attend. I would like it if you could go."
And somehow despite the gigantic question mark that
chaperoned the party called Details
like missing home, missing work, missing meetings
I knew -- I knew -- they would all fit together
"Where is the conference?"
"San Diego."
Detail #1: I love San Diego. And that may be selling my feelings short.
Detail #2: I need the sun's warmth. Call it SAD; I'm running in the red.
Detail #3: I need to feel the beach's soothing sand as my toes dig and emerge; dig and emerge.
Detail #4: I covet the space to breath, learn, dream.
Detail #5: Palm trees. The midwesterner's bellwether indicator of change.
Strike that --- I knew they would fit into the timeliest blessing
"Yes. I'd be happy to go..."
The perfect gift.
Write on,
b
