Fire Horse Moon Dance
Early morning car ride, a moment of dissociation as I stare at the red brake lights next to me. That familiar pulling feeling, like cords strung from me to the ones left at home being stretched as the distance grows. The chatter of the driver, at first unwelcome, is what takes the edge off of my unease. We laugh over chainsmoking relatives named “Pat” and a shared disinterest in curling. Passing time between arrival and shuttle pickup at terminal four. Feeling strangely calm as I carefully select snacks, and amused by the local confections made for tourists, cactus candy and coyote droppings. An older man cheerfully jokes with a mother about her son’s lack of listening skills as he runs between the rows of chairs. Rain in the desert. First time seeing cacti in their natural landscape, they are poke-y in a funny friendly sort of way. Unease returns as I wonder whether the girl in front of me and couple behind me will be among my housemates for the next five days. As we climb the mountai...