I’ve traveled these roads a thousand times
past oaks stretching problematic,
branches tangled,
through rolling hills of rich, black earth
studded with strawberries, artichokes
and Brussels’ sprouts

The sun dips down to pink sky
and on the horizon, the fringes
of distant mountains cradle me.
Grass spills down the hillside
and then to the street

The road curves unhurried
through hollows along the banks
of small rivers winding
along the interstate
past converted barns
springing up like daffodils

Above, cusps of eucalyptus leaves,
giant and alien in this natural landscape
Redwoods poke up like antennae
amongst scrub oak, sycamore and laurel

Just ending now, the road passes through
yellow leaved birches
past solitary farm houses.
A fence of three white rails marks
the perimeter of a horse farm

San Benito County line -
a bridge communicates across its span
large rocks encroach on
a massive Eucalyptus forest
dense and thick
signs mark a deer crossing
the road divides and punches deep
into the trees, growing darker

Cannon Road Rock Road
156 East San Juan Bautista / Hollister
Mission San Juan Bautista
next exit historical landmark,
a scar on the hillside from
off-road vehicles, and below
a billboard for champagne shouts,
“It’s always Christmas!”


©2023 Mateo Vélez