121 Miles

121 miles to Bismarck
on an eerily beautiful
winter morning,
Currier and Ives,
yesterday's Kinkade,
should preserve it for future generations.

The bright red-skied dawn
has given way
to an intense, eye catching
snow and frost dappled
wonderland.

The mercury of the neighbor's,
barn style thermometer
barely edges above the
'too cold for my car to start'
mark,
but start it shall.

121 miles to Bismarck.
Bigger airport.
Cheaper flight.
Emily and I
will be together
before darkness
again falls
over this frozen wonderland.

Another 121 miles to Bismarck,
Emily and I
have made this trip before.

Last time
I was nearly
too excited to drive
the 121 miles.

Today is a beautiful,
snowless mid-winter day.
Morning came
with temperatures slowly climbing
from a bit below freezing.
Small patches of frost
are on the road,
mostly clear sailing
for 121 miles.

I wish we could delay the
start of
our 121 mile journey forever,
but start we shall.

The pre-dawn darkness
and promise of freezing rain
has given way
to brown, sun-dappled fields
devoid of snow.
Nothing catches the eye
for the entire 121 miles.

121 miles back to Bismarck
and a bigger airport,
cheaper airfares,
a one way shot to Vegas.

Emily will be back home
to her mom and other family
before darkness
again falls
over me.
121 miles of lonely tears.