Blacktop Passages

The Sea Storm Comes Ashore

At Pt. Reyes, I drive over there, winding upon the Drake highway. I pass Inverness and continue through blustery oaks. It is late to drive to the sea and far away, but I have to see it, even in the rain.Continue reading

Stretching Through the Mirror

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Breaking each minute by the length of a track, measuring time by the mark of a chalk. The few hardcore fans in the stands at Raceway Park sized the speed by the block of an engine, and bet on the skill of the driver behind his rolled-up window. An open track morning. Idling with impatience, the line of cars revved intimidation, their lacquered color and chrome signaling their driver was no man to…

We didn’t know until later how much you didn’t like loud sounds. Movies in the theater, the flush of most toilets, a nearby peal of thunder—all of these frightened you. There was wonder, though. (more…)

To go somewhere and shiver. To buy sardines, to make borscht, to tell the immaterial windows about you or not you waiting or not waiting. (more…)

You go outside to get inside.

I went to inspect Iowa and uncover her consolation. I found her gold fields cut and stumbled in her stubble, her dark furrows (more…)

Cans, bottles, plastic bags, bras, panties, socks, boots and shoes, tires, magazines, newspapers, inhalers, pill bottles, condoms, (more…)

There are 568 miles between Sacramento and Las Vegas. Google Maps tells me if I don’t hit any traffic, I can expect to make the trip in 9 hours and 3 minutes. I pack an overnight bag, throw my checkbook in, and yank the zipper up. I leave a dish of kibble for the cat. At the gas station where I fill my tank, I buy a large black coffee and a candy bar. It is one p.m., six hours since I received…

All night she watched the sky bloom with stars. Now it is morning. Purple lilies, orange sunrise, yellow sun. (more…)