Farther In

Between Christmas and New Year's

they execute Saddam Hussein, and tourists descend

on the mountain. I decide to move.

I can't even go for coffee without navigating

around big, puffy entitled people

acting like they own the place.
The radio says
they insulted the bastard's religion,

and then hung him. Also, that

traffic is clogging every route up the hill,

he seemed frightened on the gallows,

a fawn is lying dead on the back road in,

and "The Christmas Story" is sold out

at the Community Center.

I begin packing. I evaluate what matters.

I need my family, my dogs, and my pictures.

Some place in Iraq

people are dancing in the streets.

Off a dangerous mountain road,

a mother waits in the dark.

I study a Forest Service map

of tiny roads to small places.

Skiers buy lift tickets

and ascend.