PLACE OF RITUALS

               by Leslie Clark



       The Southwest's holy places
       stretch to finger
       the sky-god's cobalt face.
       Carved stone pipes
       of the Organ Mountains
       echo songs of praise.
       Monuments of rock
       carved by sculptors of wind and water
       form altars and pillars.
       Breezes bear melodious chants.
       
       Throbbing sun deflects
       from massive mounds of gypsum.
       Beach without ocean
       shifts and swallows plants
       that dare to mar its whiteness.

       We wander among miracles
       that rise from the beige of desert floor.
       Inflamed by unrelenting sun,
       I'm lured by your eyes,
       the same cool blue as dome of sky.
       Our warmed palms linger
       over sun-blessed skin,
       creating moisture in the desert.