With home in the distance
and the dandelion chains grounded,
i jostle my memory again
dream of days spent carefree.

Watching butterfly wings grace grasses 

—grown, in a star’s twinkle

home.

Seeking out salamander’s rock ledge. 
Finding fox’s buried bones emerge.
Dipping toes in granite pond.

Stirring grandma in the kitchen.
Windowsill of blue jar pickles.
Pies and noodles baked delicious.

As the cow’s path erodes.

Yesterday, trE posted a challenge to write a nostalgic childhood memory in five words, on her blog: A Cornered Gurl . I took it a step further and wrote a poem as I recalled the magical summers on the farm.

Life is bittersweet. Under the layer of happiness is another layer of grief. And we build the mountains steep.