Usal Rd

USAL Rd

Like Roethke’s “Interior”
One presses on
Where the pavement ends,
All the Caution signs
   riddled with bullets
But you follow the curving gravel
Through dark tunnels of oak,
Across beat creosote bridges
   where no water runs,
Further   &   Farther
Into switchback mountains
Winding out in low gears
To the inevitable fork
   and of course,
All the arrows missing.
Guess south on Mendocino County Rd #431,
Miles of harrowing timber access road,
You’ve no idea where you’re going
Sliding in dust to the axles
   potholes & lurch & cuss
Over down madrone branches,
The rusted Ford pickup
   rolled in the ditch---
Then magically!    the trees give way
Stark bright golden star
   Shining over white Pacific fogbank
Far as the eye can see.