The Flavor of Memories

Pines remind me of home.

Of tall green sentinels that both

welcomed and protected us

from others who wouldn’t know

where to find us.

Manure reminds me of the corrals.

Brown and dry dusty days

working the horses with lead legs

and finally shoveling their shit

into piles easily found.

Fresh-cut grass and gasoline reminds me of work.

Bright days and the brush of green

on shoes and hands from bagging

the clippings and disposing of them

so no one would have to find them.

Smells trigger these memories

and my mind and body follow them right back

to the days they were made.

My muscles remember the load and my face

remembers the smile.