Moab, UEA Friday
By light of the bright motel sign
we endeavor most daintly to dine,
eating pineapple prawns on the Silver Sage lawn.
We rate our surroundings divine.
Beyond the fence, late traffic screams–
pickups and side-by-side teams–
escaping, escaping well into night.
Virus will haunt them in dreams.
In DC our leaders, deranged,
tell us that little has changed,
mock science, distancing, masks.
I wish they’d all die of the mange.
We two are all for each other.
Those noises we mentally smother.
Our dinner awaits on disposable plates,
takeout deluxe with no bother.
Together embracing the land,
we’re privileged to hike, love, plan.
In our own little hives, we live lucky lives,
ignoring whatever we can.
Brock Dethier retired in 2018 after teaching at Utah State University for 21 years and directing the composition program since 2007. He has published five books for college composition teachers and students as well as two volumes of poetry. His song-and-story albums for kids are available at Amazon.com and Bandcamp.com.
Featured Image: Luncheon on the Grass by Edouard Manet