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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.
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Author: kmarieclark
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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.
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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?
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.
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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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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.
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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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Pittsburgh Marathon 2012
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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!
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What I’ve Read this Year – Part 1
I have a library full of thin spines. I read a lot of poetry, and was lucky enough in February to listen to my favorite poet, Claudia Emerson, at Waynesburg University. Other books that I’ve read this year include the end of the Harry Potter Series, Son of the Wilderness: The Life of John Muir, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, and Late Wife by Claudia Emerson. What would you recommend?
