earth note 232

the little colorado river
in the arizona high desert
is nothing more than a dry wash
most of the year

if you walk the riverbed
long enough
you'll hear sharp canyon walls
speak truth

of empty water vessels
and sudden dust storms

of a rich blue sky
with no promises

rolling sage brush
sheared in the wind

rocks that replicate the sun
too hot for the touch

rough brown texture
supplanting green

life on the bare edge
     fragile species      go hiding

--- e b bortz

(published in earth notes and other poems, Least Bittern Books, 2015)