Rockies

I faintly remember the way the sky looked

and the way the air felt different in my lungs

jostled memories from a few photographs

the deep, clear blue of the waters

Colorado > Indiana

The rocks we tried to figure out how to get the tent stakes to take hold

the rain that unrelented our first night

the long trek back home

The sun triumphing over the clouds

lessons we tried to remember to take hold

or at least something

something other than the familiar

mother and brothers

but no father ever joining for our family vacations

he stayed back home