#254 ruth stone in vermont
ruth stone\u2019s house\non a vermont mountain\nlike a movie set\nfifty years before\ni was born\n\nin 1989 we snaked\nour way through old\nforge and into\nferry addled vermont\non muddy roads\n\nthere we slept\nunder frayed gingham\nbetween dingy\nfloral farmhouse walls\nruth above us\n\nand in the morning\nwoodstove frypan eggs\nbefore the ride\ninto town for a lawnmower\non the blue jay way\n\nlater in your yard\nwaist deep in grasses\ni cut a snake\nin two and cried you\nnearly 75 glowed and\nconsoled me\n\nthe printing press\nin the barn silent and rusting\nthat night candlelight\nat your summer bedside\nyou were sick and asked\nus to stay\n\nbut i already had legs\nfor wisconsin and ohio my\nbags packed\nlakes michigan and erie\nstrange attractors i found\nyour book today\n\nepw 12.30.07 perrysburg, oh