So Far From Montana - Beverly Koepplin

How did I get this far from Montana?

In my heart, I drive straight roads

that go on forever through sweet spring air

and under wide open skies with no frames.

In my life, I drive broken-up streets

that go one block at a time through bloated gray air

and under skies with man-made horizons.

In my life, I work hard through days

defined by paper and metal mechanical noise

and metered out by hours I count till end.

In my heart, I sit on a porch and watch

the leaves glow then burst and fall,

and I have no need to count at all.

In my heart, I spend this time of summer

by a cool river that flows under cottonwood trees

and wonder only how a fishing line can arc just so.

In my life, I know that it is summer time.

but that means only that through the long evenings

I will walk this earth here and pretend it is Montana.

How did I get so far from Montana?

June 1999

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