Tuesday, May 23, 2023

(Hiking) Arizona

 

Photo © 2023 Jennifer Wagner

My second favorite color

is explosive

and luscious.

 

I don’t know if I like

the dirt it leaves

on my shoes.

I’m torn.

 

It means I’ve walked

through it

and lived to tell

 

but the chili powder heat

is a hell

all its own.

 

Hesperidium marmalade,

sandstone, cider, spice

against a spotty blue leopard sky.

 

Sigh.

 

My palms turn sepia from the reach,

and though the beauty is a beast,

 

I know it was always meant

to be a part of me,

 

like a blazing sun,

like love,

 

because

my skin sings

even while it burns.

 

 

© 2023 Jennifer Wagner

 

Photo © 2023 Jennifer Wagner


 

6 comments:

Fireblossom said...

As the Good Witch advises, there's no place like home, whether you started there or ended up there, it's where you feel most yourself. :-)

Rajesh Kumar said...

OMG! This is such an amazing poem. It captures the vast expanses, the thankless topography and the bold living and love that it manifests. Brilliant! I absolutely love it.

Jody Lee Collins said...

Jennifer, the color words alone in this are downright brilliant! love it.

Carrie Van Horn said...

This is absolutely beautiful Jennifer. You left your hike with a beautiful poem in your heart!

ayala said...

Beautiful, Jen. It's been years. I hope all is well.

Grace said...

My skin is burning while reading this. Love this part:

but the chili powder heat

is a hell

all its own.