Appalachia

(June 2023. Finally on the road again in Lucy the Blue Bus with Waldo by my side. Feels great man. Found a generic national forest spot by a creek in western Virginia, an area I’ve passed through many times. Was remembering other times. Little brown notebook makes a return appearance after a while on the bench.)

Appalachia

In a world that is real and the opposite
of magenta, rain limns every living surface
shimmering bright from the ground light
double reflected below mystical shroud
of all-humming Appalachian cloudwhite.

I have been a here quite like here before, but
not this here now until now—
The creek cackles the joke of never
with the mirth of always.

“This way for now!”— And all ways must listen
As the wet knots of my knowing fold this place forever
As the raindrops reverberate the safe blessings of this home
As how many years ago I was homeless happy soaked to the bone
Alone with colors & sounds just like these pressed close
As now we walk barefoot, skin rubbing soft wet leavings
To cross the native creek.