Shelter-in-place. Curtailed flights. Masked ambulations. “The New Normal” of “New York Pause,” and its sister terms in other states, confine us to save lives. It’s easy to stir against that confinement. But as the last songbirds vie for their territory with every note, I recall travels this past summer, and again feel free.
sights and sounds
of the faraway
travel-lust
A four-hour drive from Las Vegas pays off. Vistas of hoodoos and red rock formations galore! A Sense of malleable stillness exudes from this diamond-in-the-rough National Park.
Bryce Canyon
a panoramic view
of Amphitheater
Slightly over an hour’s drive later, we reach our next destination!
Sentinel stands watch. The Court of the Patriarchs patiently wait. And a rock weeps. These canyon walls tower above as we see the highlight formations of this National treasure.
Zion
the elk graze beside
the Virgin River
When I was pledging my fraternity in college, Tau Alpha Upsilon, an alumni brother wrote down this advice:
“People that conform themselves to society have discipline. People that conform themselves to society and their own conscience have self-discipline.”
Some take to the streets to oppose the quarantines. Others cheerlead from the safety of their twitter feeds. I stay home, teach my students through remote learning, walk with my wife and son each afternoon and on weekends. I write haikai, and when the confinement chaffes, I reminisce on travel, and write some more haikai.
My conscience is satisfied. And yours?
twilight
the familiarity
of home
Frank J. Tassone 
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