springtime in the desert

the desert in utah

fills with wildflowers in may

prickly pears

asters

yucca

all blooming in

cadences of color

dancing in the

spring wind

*

i wake to the sound of

birds in green mulberry trees, singing

in delight to

see the sun

again

*

there are layers of life

so apparent in

sandstone mountains

salty, smooth but jagged

crumbling

inside, i stand atop the misty canyon

at peace with

all the questions and scars

all the layers of my self

because valleys fill

and empty

over and over

grow wildflowers from

salty, sandy dust

sing songs in gratitude

to see the seasons

change as they do

it seems that

beauty can thrive in the most

unlikely of places

-A