On Seeing (hidden things)
inspired by “On Falling” by Joanna Klink and my time in Las Vegas
Dusk came early every evening. Different side
of the time zone– the farthest East from the Pacific Ocean
instead of the farthest West from the Atlantic.
Before it was possible
to imagine my life
without them, roadrunners and quail
scurried, creating dirt devils
as they hid under dusty bushes
low to the ground for respite from the sun
Dusk comes early every evening. A blessing
for small creatures in the desert and
for protecting priceless water in a land with no rain.
Life hides in the desert daylight;
The sun bakes what it touches.
Beauty is small and tucked into unexpected places.
Water under a craggy shelf
nourishes tiny flowers next to needle-like leaves.
Rabbits crouch from coyotes in impossibly small spaces.
It takes intent to see the beauty here.
Unlike home, where beauty bursts forth in greens
the golden browns of the desert protect color.
Vast expanses draw the eyes away
from the small and delicate
and color only lasts for a moment and vanishes
When dusk comes early in the evening.
I learned to look for beauty in unexpected places
I found wonder.
