This poem appeared at HIGH DESERT JOURNAL in March 2016. HDJ has, alas, closed its doors, so putting up my writing from there, here. Hop you enjoy!
Fire Lookout Villanelle
On a mountain somewhere on the Boise National Forest
Sitting on the catwalk of my wind- and snow-beaten tower
Mind as always working mad though body relatively at rest
On the roof flying ants seem to have made a nest
So I’m hiding in the wind surrounded by red and purple flowers
On a mountain somewhere on the Boise National Forest
It’s been a few days since I’ve had any guests
It’s been a hot dry week since I’ve taken a shower
My mind’s still working mad and body mostly always at rest
I’m trying to teach myself Latin but I’m failing every test
I scan the hills and valleys with my binos about every hour
On a mountain somewhere on the Boise National Forest
I go naked a lot or in shorts and I’m sunburned on my chest
though cloudy today so my solar radio keeps losing power
Mind always working mad though body relatively at rest
Rain clouds and lightning tracking in from the west
Towards me and the elk and butterflies and grouse on our
Mountain somewhere on the Boise National Forest
Minds forever working mad and bodies relatively at rest
