Categories
Poetry Travel

Ancient Upheaval

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Ancient Rock

Zion, the great parting of earth

formed by the tremendous upheaval of time.

Lava falling to the Virgin River

an embracing offer

to the sun.

Categories
Travel

Seam in the Desert

 

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Come to Zion

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Come to Zion

the checkerboard mesa

the sound of wind and river, melodic and calming

like living next to an ocean

but here in the wide lush seam opening in the desert.

Categories
Architecture Poetry Travel

Cosmopolitan Architecture in the Desert

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The Show – Vegas 2012

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The water and a glass-lined desert protect me

from the harsh fade of heat.

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The flashing heat mirrors across faces

the commercial drum beat strums

hot skin and thumping hearts

pounding out a healthy tune.

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People come to Vegas to be someone else

step into studded slippers, swing through crystal curtains at The Cosmopolitan

oval ceiling float over black jack tables

gold tassels pull back an open dangling atrium.

You may swim from between the glistening towers at the Monte Carlo, and come into a world built for enjoyment, an open show of ‘life’ on the streets, just as real as

diamonds floating in the desert.

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Photos from the blog of Christine Astorino via The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
Design Team via Wiki: The Cosmopolitan’s design team is led by Friedmutter Group as executive architect, with Arquitectonica as the design architect for the building’s themed exterior. The building is engineered by DeSimone Consulting Engineers. The Interior design team includes the Friedmutter Group, The Rockwell Group, Jeffrey Beers, Adam Tihany, and Bentel & Bentel.
Categories
Poetry Travel

In the Utah Desert

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Just North of Vegas

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The desert range lays out

huge river casts of ancient waves

the brightness washes out the landscape color

of the swirling hill tops

well-worn rock in quilted patterns

raised scars, as the railcar divides the view

between horizon to sky.

What caused the desert?

The beautiful girls with jeweled eyes serving dinner?

Categories
Poetry Travel

Drive East of Vegas, 3 1/2 hours

Vegas compared to an Oasis

 

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Vegas

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The city is wide open

the lights draw you in from the desert

half a population of people work for the show

pull your money into their booming oasis.

Blinking, clicking, cracking, crooning

for your love, and admiration of this ridiculous marvel

awaiting the thirst of a hungry person.

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Photos are of Under the Eaves B&B located in Springdale, Utah.

 

Categories
Travel

To Zion, Utah

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On Canyon Floor

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Lay down on the canyon floor

face up, heavenward

the sun has burned into the sandstone

the heat crystallizing the iron oxide

sun bleached rock, sandstone above

the pebbled river

bits of canyon across the well-worn floor.

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There is a spirit caught here in The Narrows

the sanctuary of Zion, angels landing.

The courtyard out here with the iron table

for two.

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Lay down and pray, face heavenward

and learn the language of the gods

the deep cliffs of sandstone

an oasis of magnificent heights

so tall I stumble backward

into the visual vortex I want to climb

meet strangers to tell the truth

an offering of goodness among

church bell chimes

a green patina spire along the red rim border

the spirit, lifting along the echoing of bird calls.

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Again, the Germans with their large cameras

strung around their necks and children.

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Categories
Poetry Travel

To the Desert from Vegas (With Pictures)

 

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On a Flight to Nevada

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And so, the sun will wait

to set for me

but the city won’t wait to miss

the last show, the closing hour.

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A wind will ring again

the leaves slowly bloom

the mountain laurel opens pink

at the tall ridges we

climb, slowly between naps

the city keeps growing, hindering

the proper evolution of man

which means I have been too

busy for loneliness.

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What have we forgotten to look for

in our rush to notice first?

The speed and entangled manner of

technology that keeps us preoccupied to live?

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*Italicized line from Lucia Penillo, the poem constructed after reading Inseminating the Elephant, David Budbill’s Happy Life,  Dean Young’s Fall Higher and James Richardson’s By the Numbers.
Categories
Community

A Show of Friends

 The Main Street Gallery presents…

photos, paintings, pottery and more. We’ve invited artists who have supported the gallery to showcase their own work. This is a night to celebrate our supporters! So, come to our little gem of a gallery in the middle of historic St. Clairsville to have cookies, coffee, tea, and a side of engaging conversation.

Join us this Thursday, June 28th from 7pm-10pm!

Photo by Arts and Crofts

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Categories
Food & Exercise

Pittsburgh Marathon 2012

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Yesterday my family cheered on my brother, 2nd time Marathoner, and his girlfriend at her 1st Marathon!

They both did wonderful, finished the race, and walked afterward!

We’re proud of you!

The 9 mile mark.
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The 26 mile mark!

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Categories
Community

Where to be in the OV?

Want to find a place to be in the Ohio Valley?

Check out this blog, Places TO Be in the OV, and go wandering.

Find their article on the Main Street Gallery here!