Desert Songs

Desert Songs

morning desert walks,
through rosemary, cactus track,
creosote smells boardwalk dream
ancient ocean waves drained
smiling, fossil found

sunshine climbs stone fence,
in corners, shadows,
while dust devil dances
ant mound disappears
cloud settles to earth

sitting stone-faced
fear immobilizes eyes
wind whipped tears drop
sustenance for life below
lonely weed seed drinks, stakes claim

ancient stone standing
silent, echoes grandeur past
graffiti protests
ants rebuilding shelter,
explore, climb face of god, die

low desert flatlands
attract heat, tourists, lizards,
leather skinned folk
homes, cliff hung twinkle afar
thirsty climb heats, air cooler

yellow mesquite blooms
wind ripples branches, gnarled
distant cars zoom, still
transmission lines hum
modern jazz counterpoints cactus

saguaro stand still
caught sneaking down mountain
rendezvous to keep?
cactus bones litter trailside,
progress battles natures way