Letter to My Family

I went stir-crazy, a form
of cabin fever, the inescapable
yearning to leave.
A runway, mazes of
yellow lights and painted asphalt,
a take-off, cirrus clouds
evidence of the whipping
wind, your tears
over the phone. Freedom
laced with guilt—
the epitome of bittersweet.
My return ticket
still lays in my top dresser drawer,
hidden by mismatching socks.

Hills of dry grain—the wind
creating waves, an undulating
motion, an ocean
of wheat. Guardsmen mountains
like upside-down V’s,
vivid greens and browns
fade to violet and jade.
The thundering wind sings
to me at night,
bending my window inward, telling
me to sleep.
Sometimes I almost regret
my leaving.

Hannah Grande is 19, and with any luck, will graduate from WVC this winter quarter with her AA. She grew up in Waterville, and enjoys playing volleyball and softball and snowboarding. She plans on transferring to a university and studying animal science, with emphasis on equine management.