Love

Love like dappled light
intermittently blinds then clarifies
as my heart drives the back roads of my mind.

I don’t remember the pain, but
briefly it surprises me with bursts of sunlight that
quickly vanish into shades of clarity.

I follow the road with confidence, knowing well
the curves that wind deeper into dense, lush forests of noble fir.

A new stretch of certainty emerges and
I coast through the present road conditions
with eyes wide open.

When the road unwinds through quiet, tawny pastures,
the sun sets in my rear view mirror and twilight greets me;
the stars guide my way
reflecting the illumination of my intuition and
the draft of wind through the open window
catches my breath.

-Lisa Barker