Winter reunion with enchanted land
of high-desert touchstones and totems
wrinkled, dusty-pink foothills, mesas
juniper-studded in cedar-green
mazes of gouged-out arroyos
dry except when deadly wet
ghostly clumps of cottonwoods
standing at faithful, river vigil
squat, adobe, earth-spawned houses
hid behind coyote fences
ravens squawking raucous welcome
golden eagles in soaring gear
never-ending plains in varied grays
of rabbitbrush, cholla, and sage
distant, purplish snow-capped peaks
cresting against an infinite blue
uncompromised, expansive beauty
with its siren song of peaceful calm.
