Measured in Bridges

Today was beautiful.
Wistful breeze down the valley from the north.
Sunny.  Not hot.
I wore my charcoal summerweight jacket with a blue check oxford, creased khakis and brown driving slippers.

I'm talking a lot of pictures.
You will be so far away, now.
After we just moved so close.
The pictures will help me visit.

Watched sailing and crew from the Officer's club and Thayer.
Hasn't changed much in 18 years.
I guess we have, though.

This is primordial land.
Still a bronco.
Forging not being forged.
Elemental forms in elemental states.

You will be able to hear coal trains down by the river.
Was Grafton like this?
Barges sneak past from time to time.

Preparation is not readiness.
Waiting is not anticipation.
Faith is not certainty.
Separation is not loss.

I keep waiting for the encore.
Tense eagerness for your next act.
But so far, only crickets call from the blackberries.

Cadets smoke cigars in the dreamlight; their own resting places a few paces West.

AM.
Katie and I walked counter-clockwise.
The wind is from the East now.
The east wind carries us all away.
This one only has clouds on it, now.
It has already brought you here.

Went south to Avalon and Sea Isle.
Boats, boats, and boats.
Wave churns and salt spray.
The familiar grassy dunes.
The east's cedars and oaks huddle over their ivy-smoothed beds of myrtles, sumac, and young gum trees.
Immediately to Emerald Isle.
Sizzling bacon and new fishing line on the big round coffee table.

Two lobsters tonight.
I just have to keep swimming.
Italian dessert board with Aunt Mary.
You would have loved it.
The conversation at least.

Sunday.
A day measured in bridges and Rivers.
Townsends Inlet toll bridge.
Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Millard Tydings over the Susquehanna.
The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel.
The Patomac.
The Rappahannock.
The James.
The Appomattox.
The Roanoke.
Eventually the Tar.
And finally the Neuse.
But then not even the porch light was on when we got back to your house.

For Omama.