Dixie National Forest - Seth Talbolt

Black and white juniper

   thrusting pale fingers toward the sky.

      Sandstone parched in midday waves of heat,

       grey green lichen claims dusty stone

          like a child unwilling to share.

 

Old stream run dry

   hurled boulders laid to rest

      like ancient skipping stones,,

        while gray haired yarrow endures

           dust flows down waters track.

 

dry grass sprouted

   quivers in a cool western breeze.

     from a charred shell cactus grows anew

       as an old scar fades away.

 

failure only sweetens the scent of life.