The wind hears many secrets As he blows at his election. Only a hearer at best— He mulls them over and again But doesn’t repeat or think aloud

Among hills Apache red Where damas and vaqueros Built up a homestead Past the mercados And hills with a vague past

Let us drink in the sunshine From a cup of globe mallow As would one of palatine Privilege beside God’s throne. Here’s to another springtime.

So that you shall be blessed I pray more than you are aware For you because you are A friend of many friends. May age not break your stride.

Like the Sphinx Igor lies regally With eyes closed off To the world. He finds his zen

How capricious it is To follow the tail of a comet And skip across Saturn’s rings - To wade in endless streams - Cloaked in ether’s blanket

To a stranger who has died Money is nontransferable— That the Egyptians tried— The kings – they’re unconsolable – But I know of things that follow:

A milky-eyed mourning dove Sat upon a tombstone – tacit – Inside the grounds of St. Francis To admire a cache betroved. A sentinel’s duty – it bears –

Gentle Earth, I beg of you— Whisper to us the first sign of sp… Annul this wintry despair And a season of life anew, bring. From the depths of Baja

What love is this That spellbinds me And keeps me returning To read scripture? Older I will get

Two streams that converge And flow inextricably Are like two lovers Meandering about who meet - Not knowing anything of what

Often conversation carries Us through the day For talking about things is Basic to an alliance Yet at other times, we survive

El Capitan– you are a joint Within the Sierra Nevadas Of punctuated granite - A sentinel of the ages. Sylvestris partition -

Sweat is the other garment You wear in the desert When the only water is in the cact… And all but the flies are inert But a cool layer of sweat

April – breezy and demure – Make yourself at home. I’ve kept some tea warm. Here is a seat of nature— A trunk on which to sit.