Lonnie Monka is a U.S. native now living in Jerusalem. He loves the finer things in life, like reading & writing, and experimenting in the kitchen. He runs occasional literary events and readings under the name Jerusalism. Feel free to check out his literary musings at www.thereforeforthee.com

Lonnie Monka

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Talladega National Forest

— for Neal

windy dirt roads sported bullet-scarred street signs
deeper & deeper into that shadow casting canopy
no hotels—we slept in tents
road-trippen' for your first time

aromas of dirt & moss began to seep into our skin
but scared from sleeping on such unkempt lands
you had laid awake the entire night before
unable now to win your eye-lids' fight against falling

peaking at your sweat glazed forehead
sectioned off by only the bug-net tent-mesh
I sat with a cup of tea & tried to read
blanketed by the night-critters' croaks & buzzes

dog barks & adolescent laughter ignited in the distance
some unseen Alabama youth plucked my heart into a pound
feeling for the first time like a big brother
I chose not to disturb your well-deserved slumber