Road Traveled

Tens of thousands of miles
Days.. weeks… months… years now passed
white mane white mustache white stubble now
butt soft as my custom made seat

thousands of blistering sunsets
chilly early morning sunrises afternoon weed naps
my body struggling eastern morning glare
empty stomach achy body start my day

silenced two lane highways wheat fields
sunny unshadowed mountain serpentine roads favorites
out of nowhere monsoon deluges .….slight smile no shelter
diners… cheap motels…tent areas with grass and showers

buzzards circling my arrival earth cracking desert zones
indigenous inhabitants not surviving the night
smelled some though never seen
hitch hikers sorry….no room

rainbow of people met most good at heart
some unhappy jealous desolate anti California chimes
befriended some shared meals finding common ground
back on the road next day

many stray dogs witnessed
angry they’ve been abandoned
sense their distrust
eventually come over to feed drink water

images I’ll never forget
my photos my Haiku my memories
regretful few conversations
human nature it’s worse it’s best

lone wolf my souls deep heartfelt mate
never worried about time route or destination
never worried about death
smiling at keys final turn no regrets