An Old Friend

A slight turn on the trail, and suddenly they were everywhere: Tiny white dots peppering the trees, fur coats about to burst; nature’s extravagance just about to show off.

My mom would keep branches in a vase in her bathroom.

I loved to pet them while watching her get ready; captivated by both of their beauty.

Snapping a few off for secret soothing later; my mom in my pocket.

They will always be Pine Lake to me.

Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine.

Sex education from Cosmopolitan.

Shalamar and cigarettes.

Neil Diamond and Diana Ross.

Truth or Dare and childhood fears.

Kick the can until we heard the whistle.

Nixon and new step-dads.

Homemade Halloween.

Skipped school, cereal box prizes and,

Hours and hours alone in the woods and on the water.

Where all of this began.

Try a new trail every once in a while. You never know what you’ll find.

Yesterday I found my childhood.