Desert in the summer
means walking the dog at sunrise
rabbits chew and quail run
We cast small shadows
the spaces between needles of the cactus
are the gaps between my thoughts
Awake
Tag: desert
Desert Oasis
We’ve lived here for 11 years now.
We putter around together in our backyard. William builds patios and walkways while I assemble a desert garden (herbs, cacti). Pretty soon, we’ll be swimming.
I Love Your Mohawk!
I was driving home and stopped suddenly – a mother quail ran across the street, with her 7 babies running right behind her. A family of quail is usually bookended by parents. After my car passed them, the daddy quail quickly crossed the street and caught up with his family.
Unfortunately, baby quail have an 85% mortality rate. They can’t fly for about 11 days after birth and predators are all over the place. Be safe, little ones!
Notice
I walked.
I noticed a giant centipede, walking on the garage floor. I swept him away (their bite can hurt a lot).
I walked.
I noticed several rabbits. A groundsnake slithered in front of me. My dog had scared it.
I walked some more.
And the sun went down.
Abundance
You don’t have to own anything material to feel life is abundant.
I walked my dog this afternoon. Cacti were blooming fire orange flowers. Wildflowers of purple and yellow were sprayed everywhere. Insects and birds were busy working.
If you can find joy in wildflowers and nature around you, then no one can take that feeling of abundance from you.
Coyote
It’s 6:44am, pitch-dark outside and the door is open (I live in the desert and winter is prime time for open windows and doors). A group of coyotes are howling in the distance and they sound like a bunch of frat boys at a football game.
The blank page looks at me, unblinking.
I remember – when I was a kid – my little mutt terrier, Leon, howling, his mouth forming a perfect “O,” as my sister played her violin. Something primal was happening.
The page waits.
The coyotes get much louder and yip-yip-yip over each other. They’ve made a kill, probably a rabbit.
Desert Flower
She blooms among the rocks
her roots absorb precious water
she soaks the unforgiving rays
and bursts in all her glory
whether anyone sees her or not
