Nevada

 leaving the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas behind

the coin slot machines, brainless clangs

the noisy smoke-filled poker rooms 

and hot crowds of people

we haste away

fleeing through the suburbs

already drinking in the vast blue sky

we at long last dare to breathe

mesmerized by the solemn expanse of the desert

rocky and rugged and raw

yet abloom with Desert Mallow 

and fiery Brittlebush

even delicate Forget Me Not 

invite the purposeful creation 

of seductive memories

we keep driving

until cool waters of Lake Meade entice

reflecting the perfect blue sky above

we get in the water fully dressed

fish nibbling at our feet

and we are transported at once

to our planet's red sister

as the desolate landscape of resplendent red rock

rises high out of desert mirage water

our clothes dry quickly in the scorching desert sun

as majestic birds of prey circle overhead

their silence as piercing as their shriek

the wind stirs, bewitched

a dust bath now, grit in our teeth

frizz in our hair

rejuvenated, we reverse our voyage

but we long for more 

Red Rock Canyon beckons a visit

before night falls 

and we return to the City of Lights

we hike down the path, climb up the rock

gravelly, jagged protrusions melting our feet

the outskirts of civilization

all but a distant hallucination

until we find ourselves

     alone

the wind sings his song

until we simultaneously decide to stop breathing

enraptured

deafened by what none of us had ever heard before

    absolute silence

 

Author's Note

Your comments are welcome. Thank you.

Reviews

[Gandré]

This was vivid and interesting description of a journey through Nevada. The silence I imagine was kind of loud after being in this hell of a city loud, full of lights where day and night have no meaning and everybody's has his own rhythm.. Thank you for entering my contest. Much apprechiated. I liked your poem.