far away

Christine in Tennessee and Katie, who is somewhere in Australia, are putting together a literary magazine.  The theme of the first issue (the entire magazine?) is far away.  Interesting, because the theme for the Sketchbook Project I've been living into these past few weeks is lights in the distance.

My job is to answer the questions below.  Why me?  Because I left Alaska.  Unlike the other people who've also been asked to answer, though, I came back.  Christine's going to collect answers and compile in some kind of poetic and meaningful way.  Will share the results with you if possible. 

{Here's to international art swapping!}

Why did you come? And why did you leave? Is part of you still there? Are you looking back, past your shoulder at chillingly deep Valleys and dazzlingly steep mountains and crystal turquoise lakes and dizzying glittering dancing lights? Do you crave the dark? Do you chase the never-ending light? Did you try to smuggle a birch log in your suitcase? Did you fold onto your knees and kiss the red clay when you landed home? Did the magnolias whisper they told you so?