By Nancy Lili Gonzales

Three days she belligerently
challenged the Rocky Mountains to a duel.

Spat in its river. Stubbed Marlboro Reds in its dirt
to prove her theory of independence. Defeated

outside the cleanest Waffle House on Earth,
she held her chin like a pistol. Nose bloodied

because her tent fell. Shivering cold
because sticks and gasoline didn’t make fire.

Certain adventures require a partner in crime.
After breakfast for dinner, she will gather herself

like a snug blanket and she will charge home
on her trusty motorbike past elk and chupacabras,

home to the man who snuck bug spray into her sack,
the man who is probably doing a small load of laundry

and watching slapstick comedies on TV, listening
for her familiar stumble through the front door.

 

Nancy Lili Gonzalez graduated from St. Edward’s University in December 2011. She has been published in several literary journals and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2013. Nancy Lili is currently a stay-at-home mom.

Photo by Sydney Clarkson.