The sunshine brings back memories sometimes.

Memories of times that feel eons away, yet are not that long ago.

My life in chapters, many feel more like succinct short stories

Or narratives or even poems.

A moment in time so unlike any other

That only a few words can capture its importance.

I miss the open skies of the West.

The feeling of promise, of hope, of enthusiasm, and excitement.

A full and vibrant energy silently,

But powerfully circulating through the air.

I miss the color of blue that the sky becomes in the mountains,

Speckled foreground of bright, golden leaves.

The sparkling, gurgling rivers.

Hiking in secret, sacred places.

I miss having a partner,

But not to the extent of sacrificing my well-being or peace.

Nostalgia isn’t bad.

It’s simply a quick reemergence into a pool of water

That you’ve dove into before.

Some waters are warmer than others.

I combine my past with my future.

I look to my dreams. I see the West in them all.