This place had been my neighbor all along. That’s why I recognized it so easily when we finally met in person. It was familiar, and comfortable, and hot. I actually had visited once as a kid, for a funeral. I remember thinking it was dry, and crunchy, and hot. Truth is I wasn’t ready for this place. I had a bit of growing up to do, I suppose. I needed to learn that I’m not always right about things, that I can ask for help, that to be perfect is a false truth. I needed to experience intense pain and blissful joy. I needed to fall in love so that I would know what it looks like. And I needed to lose love to learn that I never really needed it in the first place. I needed to swing from ropes and climb mossy trees and swim in the clearest waters. I needed to see the Wild within us all.
I saw a little of myself in this place once we eventually met, and that’s probably because it was Wild too.
Martinsville, East Texas
May 2018
Kelly Green Guilbeau 