Tag: Under the Eaves

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Observation Point

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Faces of the sand dunes cry

ancient storms cemented rock into sandstone

the sky opens between the canyon walls

this temple of eternity.

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The rock wears away

the constant feet making a deep sand path

there is a blooming cactus

a burning smell of rosemary.

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Then, all of a sudden, you step into the sky

so blue

such an uninterrupted horizon of canyon edges

the sheer cliff face

other worn rock where the river lulled around

our hollowed steps

the raised scars of Cocino Rock embedded

in soft sandstone.

One cannot tire of such majesty.

 

 

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The Narrows

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The Narrows

a slot canyon beyond the Temple of Sinawa

the breath-taking sheer wall rises above

and beyond me.

The California Condor squawks and circles above

the sky cracks open

more every bend I turn

the high-waisted water

the rumble of stone moving

with the current and jostle of the seeker.

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The scale of humanity diminishes here

it’s amazing that this Heaven exists

petals fall through the morning light

leaves float down to the Virgin River

canyon base where I wade.

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The smooth weeping line of one waterfall thin

falls down a clean wall slanted to the high plateau.

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Flash floods of the past

filed high ledges with rocks the size of my head.

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Emerald pools gathered in the low hollows

green and sparkling as the sun was about to

perch on the top of the ridge.

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The day unshaped by fear or any conscious reason

just the narrow and recently carved walls

that is, only 100 million years ago.

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The last turn, the colorful lava rock at my feet

the red stripes, the gold buried beneath small rapids

the orange layers lying on their side face

shuffled by the stream and occasional hiker

into this dimension of Zion.

 

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In the Garden, Under the Eaves

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Fairies fly about the forest

to pull back draperies of mimosa lashes

small pods that open four to five flowers

With long delicate stamens

fuchsia lips, orange tentacles

coming from the silky yellow petals.

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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.