The Gift of Miles
Each a reward
Closer to those I love
Nearer to all that I miss
A toddler’s laugh
A newborn’s downy caress
An infectious smile
Bonds that remain unbroken
A gorgeous whitewater free fall
Of cascading emotions
Joy in waves that embrace
The blue overhead
Sky, water, and souls
In a shared presence
Always welcome
A warm embrace on my return
I left home on November 1st (after casting an absentee ballot) (and after testing negative for COVID-19) for the 900 mile drive from Missouri to New York, so that I could see my new granddaughter, who was born on November 18th. A stop in Cleveland allowed me to see my granddaughter there, and a second COVID-19 test in New York allowed me to visit free from quarantine. In addition to seeing family, I made sure to visit some of my favorite sights around western New York, including the Niagara River and Lakes Erie & Ontario. Of course, the drive home allowed me to see my granddaughter in Cleveland once again, and I arrived home 23 days after my original departure, having driven 2400 total miles.
Shared with Open Link #279 – LIVE Edition at dVerse ~ Poets Pub
rivrvlogr 
That’s some drive! But worth every inch, I imagine.
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Indeed. Thank you, Jane.
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How lovely “whitewater free fall of cascading emotions” wonderful verse. 🙂
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Thank you.
When I write about “back home” it’s hard to not be influenced by the Mighty Niagara.
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I can imagine that would be etched somewhere deep in the soul. I’m like that with the Animas River in Colorado “Rio de las Animas Perdidas” or the River of Lost Souls. Sweet and playful a river as I’ve ever seen, until you reach the rapids. 😉
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“A gorgeous whitewater free fall of cascading emotions,”.. is such a poignant image! 💝
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Thank you. 🙂
Seeing Niagara Falls while on my trip was fresh in my mind.
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Quite the 23 day adventure. Road trips resonate more when they’re shared, but there you were, alone, resolute, rolling through the east like an arrow from Cupid’s bow, straight and true; congrats. So nice to see you today on the video chat.
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Thank you, Glenn. An adventure, for sure, and worth every mile.
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You’re a lucky man indeed, KG, and one hellova poet. Nice to hear you red. Thanks.
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Thanks, Ron.
I enjoy those open mics. It’s nice to have a face & voice behind the poetry.
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What a wonderful feeling it must be to hold a grandchild!
The emotions of love we have for others can feel like a
“whitewater free fall
Of cascading emotions”
Wishing you wellness,
Ali
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Thank you, Ali.
I’m thankful for the inspiration they provide.
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A beautiful gift of life. It was lovely hearing your voice over the LIVE. Thanks for joining in.
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Thanks, Grace.
I wrote most of this while driving home on Thursday (voice recognition on my phone app), but LIVE gave me the incentive to finish it the next day. I’ve enjoyed those video sessions.
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Experiencing joyful moments of the now and building cherished memories for tomorrow. So glad everything worked out OK for you to be with your loved ones, Ken.
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Thank you, Lisa. It was a rewarding trip — there and back.
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So beautiful and breathtaking. That is such a happy moment, and truly a beautiful gift. ❤
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Thank you, Lucy. Oh, yes, pretty hard to beat!
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I’m so glad it all worked out. Some needed joy in this strange strange year. (K)
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Thanks, Kerfe. It definitely was a bit of welcome light.
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I alos loved the whitewater cascade of emotion in this poem: sky and water and souls all swaddled so nicely here. Well done!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Epic journey and wonderful tale – fit for these times – and reminds what has changed and what stays the same. So good.
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Thank you, Peter. Yes, some rewards cannot be diminished.
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Congratulations on the arrival of your new family member. So many gifts to be thankful for here!
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Thank you, Ingrid. Yes, indeed!
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Congratulations on the brand-new granddaughter, Ken, and on the amazing round trip of 2400 miles! It was well worth the drive and two Covid tests. A gift of miles indeed! I so enjoyed hearing you read this lovely poem, especially the lines:
‘A gorgeous whitewater free fall
Of cascading emotions’.
I bet you were glad of that warm embrace on your return.
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Thank you, Kim. Yes, it was all that I expected, and more. And the embrace on my return… most welcome.
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“A gorgeous whitewater free fall
Of cascading emotions”
I’m sure it was all that and more. It’s great you were able to take that trip.
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Thank you, Merril. It was most rewarding.
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Tingles and sighs from Bend Oregon.
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🙂 Some things just cannot disappoint. It’s a good feeling, knowing that others understand.
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You are a blessed man… that is a sweet baby! So much to be thankful for!
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And I am! Thank you, Dwight.
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Quite an adventure but worth every minute!
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Sigh. Yes.
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This is gorgeous Ken, and so moving to hear you read it – excellent writing! You could feel your investment of love.
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Yes, it came from the heart. 🙂 Thank you, Ron.
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