At this point you may want to park…

DIRECTIONS

First you’ll come to the end of the freeway. Then it’s not so much north on Woodland Avenue
as it is a feeling that the pines are taller and weigh more,
and the road, you’ll notice,
is older with faded lines and unmown shoulders.
You’ll see a cemetery on your right
and another later on your left.
Sobered, drive on.
. . . . . . . . . .Drive on for miles
if the fields are full of hawkweed and daisies.

Sometimes a spotted horse
will gallop along the fence. Sometimes you’ll see
a hawk circling, sometimes a vulture.
You’ll cross the river many times
over smaller and smaller bridges.
You’ll know when you’re close;
people always say they have a sudden sensation
that the horizon, which was always far ahead,
is now directly behind them.
At this point you may want to park
and proceed on foot, or even
on your knees.
     – Connie Wanek

Sources:

• “Directions” – Thank you Whiskey River – commonplace book
• Image: Group of Seven Art (Lawren Harris – Algoma Country)