DUSTY BLOSSOMS

CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK

April 19 2018

I caught a glimpse of a sparrow’s flight

between pink canyon walls

and in that space there glinted

light

through the leaves

of the cottonwood trees.

I walked amongst the hum of bees

in the dappled shade

and felt the shift of spring’s warm breeze

as she walked in that same glade.

🌸🌸🌸

SIGNS OF SPRING

The clouds are hanging low, and the wind is shut out by the gates of the canyon - those huge rock walls on either side of a small snaking green river. Cottonwood trees grow all along the edges of the water, their youngish bodies fat from drinking (they are no more than 100 years old). The rock seems to soak up the sun’s rays, permeating every small breeze with warmth. The leaves ripple and dance, and everything everywhere is fresh, lush, and light-filled.

Evidence of life springs up abundant - petroglyphs and barn houses, horses and marmots. A flurry of Pinion Jays, blue as the sky, twitter and flutter in a cloud of blossoms. The almond orchard is scattering petals, swapping them for new, tender leaves. The sound of bees is everywhere. The smell of the crushed petals makes me swoon.

I SPY:

Ponderosa

Juniper

Cottonwood

Almond blossom

Bumblebees

Marmots

Spotted horses

Pinion Jays

Petroglyphs