Road Trip 2024: Settled

We've been doing these road trips with my brother Michael for four years now, long enough to become pros at it. We're comfortable enough with each other to share hotel rooms. We're also cheap, but hey, it lets us spend more time on the road. 

Some routines have been established. For example, I like to turn the TV in the room to what Michael calls "The Murder Channel," looking for shows like Forensic Files or one of the many incarnations of Law and Order. Ernie likes to surf social media on his phone, and Michael prowls news sites on his iPad. Since his iPad is right there under his fingertips, he also does some writing. A few days into our roadtrip, he came up with this:

Settled

Settled, like sand
Fluid, like water
I know my spirit’s yearnings
I cannot account for others

I watch the sunset
I listen to the trees in the wind
They speak a language for which
There are no known words

Let no one tell me
My purpose here on earth
Let them speak for themselves
If it matters so much

I prefer to watch
And absorb
And wonder
So let me be slow with answers

My time here is limited
So let me be blessed 
With the gift of reflection
And throw in some kindness

If I should see good in myself
Spare me the self-righteousness
Give me the simple ability

To see it in others