Roots

It is dark when we left town,

and we anticipated the dawn 

from the road, the four of us

sharing breakfast, 

pouring coffee from a thermos,

filling and then capping

our cups as mother passed out

the freshly baked muffins;

we chattered — sharing memories,

talking of family matters, 

debating worldly concerns —

and we saw the sunrise

together, traveled just over 

350 miles, attended to our

given task, feasted on burgers 

for lunch before turning back 

and retracing that same distance, 

stopping for a cobbler & ice cream 

dinner just because it sounded good.

We sailed through Texas,

the sun setting as Midland’s 

skyline rose, a silhouette 

on the horizon, and I thought 

of a photo I took a few days before —

I stood under these giant, strong 

trees, and I thought of my parents 

and their parents, the legacy 

of family, a rooted love, constant

and grounded, reassuring me 

at the end of that many-miles journey

that family ties are that kind of strong.

—C.L. Fisher, August 2021

Unless otherwise indicated, all writings and images are the work of C.L. Fisher and may not be copied, used, or distributed without permission.