From Further South

Sunday morning — the call of the sunny
sky got me out to Coronado Monument.
Watching a duck taking a fast ride on a
current
Hearing wind rustle sturdy dead leaves on
cottonwood by this river bank.
Recognizing call of a crane — they’re still here?
Searching & later seeing the low-flying flock
fly past further south.
Drifting over from the campground : mariachis
y cumbias... and from further downstream the
ebb & flow roar of cars passing on the bridge.

Seeing the golden seed pods of 4wing salt bush,
nutty brown branches & trunks fan spread over
grey cold glistening water.
Middle bank even shores — layer of fine red
vertical tamarisk shoots
foot prints among pebbles and round river rocks in the sandy dirt.
The river floor clearly visible 15 feet out
makes me want to take off shoes, roll up sweats & wade.

The luscious weekend.
Time to stretch out in familiar dreams
& yearnings
Live the old dry ramada
winter sun draws out the memories
in the wood in the earth in the air and trees.
Light slanting from further south draws out the familiar
and it could be 1958.

crow’s call
robin’s call
dog’s call
wind picks up

Shadows crisp on walls and ground.
my ears too cold for staying out!

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