Mountain Air Magic Spell
beneath the towering evergreens
and juniper mountain breeze
big sister’s hands push me
into the freeze pop lake
little brother’s revenge ——
algae to her face
splash battle ensues
shrieks of laughter
echoing through the foothills
mom taught me not to fear
black bears crossing our campsite
my full moon eyes unblinking
into the mama’s beseeching tree sap gaze
round babies waddling in tow
my toddler body softened
into a kool-aid smile
I looked up at my own mother’s
sunbeam face —— and I understood.
dandelion butter sunset melts onto still water
the milky way unfurls her gossamer tapestry
as dad convinces us shooting stars are alien visitors
we chase the ember tails of fireflies
and fall asleep to bullfrog lullabies
I think that was the last time my family was whole
the last happy memories I have of my father
before he became someone I don’t recognize
I only hear my mother’s voice
through long distance phone calls
and my sister leaves texts unread
I imagine we can fly back to our campsite
on a loon’s peppered wings
we’ll look up at the moon together
count the stars in the milky way ——
let’s pretend
the mountain air
can make us whole again