Plans

Why is it so difficult to get away? The lists, the luggage from last summer’s trip.... The sun’s above the trees, and still we stay. A highway beckons like a right-of-way; a destination holds us in its grip. Why is it so difficult to get away? The beach, a skyline, theme park, and a play: the planned vacation launches like a ship. But sunlight sweeps the drive, and still we stay. A single task yet unresolved; we lay aside the silken sleeve with a tiny rip. Why is it so difficult to get away? And now the cat curls about your ankle, gray as grief at being left. A fingertip of sun has touched the glass, and still we stay. Our shadows on familiar walks may prey on lengthened absence. An eyelid’s slip. Why is it so difficult to get away as sun nods into afternoon? And still we stay.