Radical Beauty:
Malibu after the Fire
Purchase
Driving Malibu
My husband should have never given me
his sports car
because my life
is opening up
with new speed.
I’ve already driven much farther than usual,
past roadblocks
into mountains
that are not on fire today
but open and welcoming me
in delight.
I feel like a new
happiness is mine to take.
Not to bleach my life
but to live it in a different way
exempt from the sick beds
and desk chairs—
to leave it all behind for a while
and just drive.
Many days of rain and wind and sun
have rolled through our bay
and the ocean is full.
The hillsides are exploding
with grass and fire poppies.
I take another turn
and spot a crouching Manzanita
still ashen and in shock.
Now is not the time
to say good-bye.