in the land of busy,

crashing to numbness

with bouts of anxiety.

end-of-the-year reflections.

new year goals.

seven days off work to

thaw out

defrazzle,

center.

a day trip with the kids

finally old enough to last 2 hours in the car

without stopping.

the drive out we talked

and played the find-the-letter game

and laughed.

a good day.

the drive home was silent.

i soaked up the trees

and winding roads -

a great river by my side

mostly covered in ice, but sometimes

exposed.

peace. i felt it in the pink and purple

streaks painting the air above

the white snow.

few other cars to break

my zen.

calm, with my babes asleep as

I sang along to

sad songs and love songs.

as thoughts met breath

met

heartbeat.

two hours of peace.

pulling in the driveway,  they

woke on queue and

I had the urge to keep

going.