Drive from Idaho Falls to West Jordan at Midnight

Stars drip through the clouds
pin pricks of light
peeking through misty lace curtains

black behind us
black ahead
rain slicked streets

silence against the mountains
shadow from crest to crest
we are in the valley of the night

darkness
to appreciate the light

4000 Steps to Freedom

Inspired by Kip

Freedom is full of sweat
Heat
Hair and clothes so hot that we seem to roast in our skin

Freedom is full of aches
in arms
legs
and feet
as we pound it out to the finish line

Yes, Freedom is full of pain
tiring work
past faces
and bodies on the sidelines

but, Freedom is also full of joy
faces breaking in smiles
voices cracking in celebration
as we glory in choice and agency

We walked 4000 steps
a small sacrifice
to celebrate the freedom
won for us
on the backs of unknown names