The length of California
is equal to five states
on the east coast
but the view doesn’t
change as radically
so after we break away from
sky scrapers in L.A.
we climb the grape vine to Gorman
then drive head first into
the great expanse
of semi-arid flat lands
along highway 5.
If we make this trip
during a drought
our bodies seem to writhe
as we face dehydration
We inevitably glimpse
our potential demise
after quiet reflection
then hurry through the area
at speeds over eighty-five.
Next come the lush greens
of the San Joaquin Valley
grape vines, almond, citrus,
and pistachio trees, some onions
and asparagus, then the dairy farms
crowded with the not so happy cows.
The agricultural patchwork ends
when the suburbs of San Francisco begin
but we veer north, east of the city
to visit family in Napa,
and take tours to taste and enjoy
the beautiful wine country
leaving the coast and the very
northern part of California
for another trip on a different day.
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