Bike Ride to Union County, Indiana

Dylan Ecker

A stand of ash sews
the state line—blonding 

bark dense with bored
shadows, red-bellied woodpeckers 

scouring any leftovers
from inside those switchback 

larval galleries. I’m waiting
in the understory, untangling 

the chain from itself, hoping
this storm passes soon because 

tonight, I’m meeting an old friend.
I wonder if he’s still all skinny 

like me. Last time, we shared
a joint just outside the county fair. 

My dad was a demolition derby
man. I was hoping he would respond 

with something, anything, heroic, instead
he kissed me, right here, on the forehead. 

Indiana, I’m overwhelmed.
I’m so full of living stuff.