Rawhide

why is it that the tumbleweed tumbles?
I ask myself this hoping the answer
will explain why the tumbleweed and I
have perpetual motion in common

could it be the tumbleweed is afraid
that staying immobile too long
will stagnate its experiences
leaving regret at a later date?

does it enjoy the rough of the ride
and the things it picks up along the way?
things it never would have discovered
had it refused to move on

as I drive in my car, towards possibilities
across a back stretch of desert highway
moving from Texas to Washington state
I see the tumbleweed rolling in my direction

we lock eyes briefly in passing
pausing only long enough to discover
that when we see the other's reflection
we recognize a part of ourselves

and still,I wonder,perplexed
why does the tumbleweed tumble
and why do I choose to do the same
but I realize that I may never know...