the way of things

• every year August 15th
• drove my folks through the winding Hoback Canyon
• following the Snake River twisting its way to Jackson Hole
• so Uncle Johnny and Lil could celebrate
• their wedding anniversary.
• I sat with the women
• in the back of the car.
• the men got drunk.
• returning
• I lay my head in my mother’s lap
• sleep
• lulled by the air
• rushing against the moving, twisting, careening car
• the men
• laughing in front
• in back
• the women praying.