Dawn in the Catskills

ekphrasis, Joyce Polance,“Morning Route 23”

From Cincinnatus to Egremont 

and just slightly into Massachusetts,

this highway moves across valleys and streams,

stretching quietly and ending silently.

At Catskills in the morning light,

the road bends and the green trees molt.

The sky and clouds and sun tunnel

in sinewy waves of white, blue and faded orange.

An oily burst of heaven hangs above your head,

perhaps a space ship hovers in the distance.

The brush weaves lightly, now fiercely.

There is hope, you whisper to yourself.

When you step on the gas you fool nobody,

you don’t want out of this cozy, comfortable place.