Idaho Fragments

Idaho Fragments Lost Home The Snake River Valley is wide here: High desert. The mountains around it are tall here, And storm-bound. The wind from the canyons is strong here. It slices Through to my heart as I stand here, A pilgrim. Handsome Devil I love the old man.  Staggering on his oxygen leash, Reclining in his nest of pills, With his cat-brush and his remote, His hair is still wavy; His eye is still bright. He still has the grace of kings. I love him for his luck, Though it was mostly bad. I love him for his lust-swaddled virtue: His strength and bravery. But mostly I love him for those coyote-loud nights On the range, and for the spud-farm, ghost-town adventures that we had When he and Violet were young And I was younger.I've been living away from Idaho for a long time. Each time I return, I wonder if it is the last time. Written April 2nd, 2002 © on Apr 02 2002 05:35 AM PST   0 • 1