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Open Poetry #14
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Mabel A. Dilley
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859
Seattle, WA, USA

0 posted 2001-06-21 03:52 PM





Landscape heaped into monotonous red sand-hills
the tones and shades most modest, most tender.
This is the region of sparse vegetation,
the land of wind-eroded stone.

Born from sun of fire and moon of ice
the white shell of limestone embedded
with fragile arms of star fish and clam shell.

In a land of little rain you pray for aspen,
a virgin grove of ponderosa pine,
a stand of white birch that weeps a seasonal lake
or a cool stream on western slopes of green mountains.

Across a great headland is dull orange.
Iron brown fists thrust forward into canyon walls
beyond which we can only hope for the sea,
and remember the quality of sighting a small boat,
something of significance amid a remembered barreness.

Summer shakes the lilacs awake,
and you burst forth into the North Jetty
climbing up the mighty Columbia,
feeling the frantic spray of water
and cross the bridge,
driving home the fan tailed curl
of an ocean’s wave frees you once again.

It is well for you to glance occasionally
at the stars or to think for a moment about eternity.




"I am not now that which I have been."



[This message has been edited by Julian Lester (edited 06-21-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Mabel A. Dilley - All Rights Reserved
Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

1 posted 2001-06-21 04:35 PM


such a landscape of images.. nicely done!!


VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
2 posted 2001-06-21 04:44 PM


Wonderfully woven, Julian!  Yes, Seattle, the sea, all are beauty to me, but I live in the desert now, have for 27 years plus.  I see its beauty vividly as you have stated it in your piece, here.  I see that you see it, too.  Even though your words pine for the lush green of the valley and the wonder of the area washed with ocean air.

You speak of your drive along the Columbia, oh it is awesome in its beauty, isn't it!  Have you also seen the beauty between Moses Lake and Coulee City?  Some of your words here made me think of it.  Have you seen the contrast of Ohme Gardens with its surrounding desert hills?

Something tells me that you know seeing the contrast of areas enhances the beauty of each, am I right?

Thanks for taking me there with your poem, I love to go remembering.

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
3 posted 2001-06-21 04:46 PM


love your poem, love the desert

The Desert Never Sleeps

Like the torrid heat of
the afternoon sun
Absorbing the dew when the
mid-morning's done
Like the blossoming fruit of
the Yuccas' new flower
Attaining the height of
the tallest of tower
Like the tracks in the sand that
were left from our walk
Erased by the warm desert breeze
as we talked
Like the clouds in the sky
shades of heavenly blue
That appear to be angels floating
gently above you
Like the windblown ashes
so gracefully strewn
That belonged to a loved one
whose life has passed on
Like the beauty that steals
the stark desert scene
And a love that was both
majestic yet serene
Like the strength and the
frailties of the fairer sex
The desert's both simple
and also complex

~Wynter....
thank you for your view

"The worst prison would be a closed heart".
...Pope John Paul II



Suetang
Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia
4 posted 2001-06-21 09:13 PM


Such a beautiful picture was painted from your palette of words....wonderful!!
Take care.......Sue

Suetang

Zinsser
Senior Member
since 2001-02-27
Posts 1641
Calif.
5 posted 2001-06-21 09:20 PM


Julian,
I love it!!!
I love the desert with all its contrast
The heat , the smell, the growth
Would Love to go to every desert
for its special sunset,
and then of course
Have a telescope for the night sky
   Thanks

Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
6 posted 2001-06-22 05:08 AM


And you did THIS between laundry, cleaning, and getting ready for company?  Sheesh, what do you do when you are really busy?  Mabe, this absolutely beautiful and next time I ask you to send them by link - please send them - I almost missed this Monet here, or would that Mabet?  

~*~ Tell someone you love them today, as tomorrow may never come ~*~

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