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Lizard and Quail
Lizard said to Quail: Have you
Seen my shadow today?
No, said Quail, been too busy
Crossing roads and scratching sand
How is it you can play all day?
Oh, said Lizard, it's not all play
Sun gives me energy to move about
Quickly hide under a rock's embrace
Forage for food and find a mate
So, said Quail, my young have fled
New season's almost here
Seems like more fences have gone up
My wings are tired yet I'll soon flee
Lo, said Lizard, I agree
My shadow is long now
Beware of snakes and bobcats
See the sun wink away; my belly is full
Go, said Quail, down to burrow
May you dream of endless joy
Stars renewing a life hard lived
I sense the rain may come yet
Lizard said thanks, and as Quail flew away
A thought came to him:
She can borrow my shadow any day.
My Home
I gaze across the desert sand
So bright and vast this wonderland
Marveling at mountain vistas old
The wind holds the secret to finding gold
Miners, Indians, homesteaders sure
Have come and gone, yet the sands endure
Ancient seas swell and recede
Boulders rise up, new plants take seed
Blooming yucca, cactus, joshua tree
Bring life to the many animals they feed
A quail calls it's young while lizards sun
Bighorn stands proud, jackrabbits run
Tortoises burrow, winter's not done
Nocturnal hunt, a coyote's howl sung
Grand is the landscape connecting to sky
Darkness holds stars; storm clouds drift by
Water is scarce in a land of extremes
Rainbows and rainfall are all creatures dreams
It gets dusty, gusty, scorching hot
Parched lips cry for shade where there's not
Yet beauty abounds to the discerning eye
To have patience, appreciate, and observe over time
Dusk falls, clarity comes - the senses raw
I am of this place, for here I belong.
Cheryl Kandel moved to the high desert from LA with her husband five years ago. Her business is embroidery digitizing, but her passion is painting, and any other creative
venue, which reflects her feelings and mood. Her inspiration for these poems comes from the desire to express how much the desert means to her. Cheryl will be participating in the Open Studio Art Tours
this October. You can see more of Cheryl's art at: www.stitchartstudio.com
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