Five Days

You say, "I'm headed into the wilderness, Mom?"

That you'll be tramping in nature's wild

the last few days of your New Zealand stint?

"Just in case you're wondering...

where your daughter is..."

Who are you?

What are you made of?

Just when I thought I had you pegged...

you, who I thought was my little city girl,

stepped away from all that was familiar...

only to discover that you too

love the wonder that only nature can offer.

You have found your way to the same holy place

your brother and I love.

Welcome, Sweetheart.

Five days and counting.

You will sweep through my heart

for two months and ...

off again you will go.

I'll stand in the road watching as you disappear again...

left to anticipate your next appearance.

I love you, Al, the absolute opposite of

the slightest of slight.

Mum