June 1, 2023

I confess I am beat up, not so proud, not so smart as I once was, quite shredded from those years of rushing toward danger, trying to see how I match up against things much bigger. I know how to love and be loved. That is enough. I found my place in the world.  #katyamills

work is good

I got off my shift and you just started yours

sleeves rolled up we exchange uplifting words

we are workers. we make our freedom! this is how we live

it keeps us honest. work is good. it keeps us on our toes

it keeps us

#katyamills

5.30

the day before the final day 

in May we went to town hall 

it was cold and gray

we liberated the coffee from 

the crates imported and gave it 

all away. Main Street turned blue 

burners on. nothing left to do

but have a cup and tell stories 

like the man whose home was unmoored

in a storm and floated away

chased out on the final sun ray 

second to last day 

in May

#katyamills

sweet from bitter

it took me all of 10 years 

to unlock the secrets within 

the green cabbage 

now she tastes sweet

and i can kick up 

my feet   

#katyamills

Yosemite in May

the lady at Chinese Camp

dressed in a floral pattern

warned us the mad river 

had escaped. Highway 120

was impassable

we would have to travel

south on 140 to Mariposa

we bought an Indian blanket

and fed the chickens to 

thank her for her kindness

#katyamills

Sonora, CA

we had our final meal of the day

i ordered a burger that was not a burger

combination long drive and hike. Yosemite

we planned to get up before dawn but

it was impossible. i popped a Tylenol

and we slept in

#katyamills

the day you disappeared

we came upon a mountain

whose face blocked the entire sun

you hiked up the slippery rocks 

to where the tremendous waterfall 

landed. i followed you 

far as i could into the mist

it all happened so fast!

i shouted after you. my clothes

soaked through i lashed myself

to a beech tree there no longer

able to see or hear this is 

how you disappear

#katyamills