Cabazon Peak

Deposited we’ve found ourselves
At the mouth of desert’s winter
Crisp and dry the air beckons me outside,
I go…
Marching over goat heads,
The soles of my shoes mock their thorny threats.
Across the barren sand-lands
The cold wind edges me on
While the sun on my face side, warms my heart.
Such contrasts of emotion this countryside evokes!
Maybe …
I…
Can…
Climb…
Down…
Into that curious arroyo,
Whose slimy bottom is decorated
By footprints of red fox and ‘coon.
So light their little bodies must be,
For I sink ankle deep in the yellow muck.
Twisting and curving these ruts never end …
Whose bones lie here? Die here?
So whitened…so weathered…
Oh! Sun! Don’t go away!
Climbing up to reach her, I find a hidden chamber,
A cavern so dark it must be a tomb or a church.
Above, the skies scream jealously
In tones of Pink and Blue,
A sign that I must go back to the people place.
For night here belongs to creatures unseen,
Though they’ve seen me…I’m sure.
Twinkling night fairies
on a blanket of black sky,
Seem to be watching and waiting...
For soon I’ll take one last glance at old Cabazon Peak
And wish my prairie brothers and sisters farewell.