From A Mesa Verde Vista
From a Mesa Verde Vista
A
Miles in the desert
led us to these four corners
a land of canyons
where giant stone monuments
block visions of horizon.
Expansive vista
lone pale cliffs and scrubby flats
vast home of million
Pueblo ghosts who haunt the brush
trick the eye with thousand miles.
Power within us
together Turtle Island
power outside us
pathways within and outside
Manzanita offerings.
Life is serious
business with room for humor
saving a hit deer
by tying bloody carcass
to the roof of a Sedan.
In America
Steakhouse line every street
frosted country air
filled with early morning shriek
of cattle lined for slaughter.
B
At local campground
a gypsy family washes
their young at spicket
naked dance and splash around
in bodies as expansive.
Shy coyote cub
scurries around underbrush
mother coyote
stands directly over young
hides them in her dark, dark shade.
Antelope Valley
is far away from canyon
Anasazi home
hide silent like coyote
keep dark in random shadow.
Mesa begins chant
heard releasing demonic
energy to sage
“stop indulgence in anger”
blood sacrifice to nature.
This is chosen past
an identity found here
overlooking old canyon
one seeing eternity
this beauty not owned by man.
C.
A self-indulgence
moves housing development
deeper onto land
someone needs to draw a line
ancient dying Paiute land.
Brush needs a control burn
open Manzanita seed
to parent the land
move lost land spirits to sky
old spirits who need a change.
When the Great Mother comes
she will not count your pebbles
or all your fake smiles
she will hold one by the wrist
and judge one by their scarred hand.
Evening approaches
coyote begins her song
powerful love song
to begin a search for food
among Anasazi home.
This land of canyons
created by Great Dreamer
continues to stand
safe in lost motherhood dreams
a world not for the living.
For more works like From a Mesa Verde Vista and other works by this author visit
Jamie Lee Hamann Author Page
You can also find works by Jamie Lee Hamann on HubPages
- Dream of Basho’s Garden - May 30, 2023
- Wendell Berry Haiku - May 15, 2023
- Bird Path of Swann Lake - May 1, 2023
A world from the past, to remain forever in the memories of the spirits who once lived there. I love the Mesa Verde and other mysterious places of people of the past. Well done, Jamie.
This is a wonderful poem describing the Mes Verde and surrounds, and the sense of spirits that dwell there. A good read, Jamie.
Thank you Phyllis and John. Jamie