Going With the Flow by Joan Currie

I spent most of this summer
visiting my family.
My favorite place to be.

To be part of this tribe,
I have to abandon
my carefully curated diet,
exercise routine,
and sleep schedule

for

s’mores at bonfires on the beach,
slushies at action-adventure movies,
peanut butter and jam picnic
sandwiches,

sleeping in tents beneath the stars,
splash pads,
paddle boarding on the Sound.

No contest.

I know
these summers
may not come again.

Despite my longing
for control,
routine,
consistency,

when the call for a new
adventure comes,

I look into the eyes
of my marvelous family

and say,

Let’s go!