“Hidden Canyons,” New Era, Aug. 1995, 21
Hidden Canyons
Three days after,
there is only a thought of it left,
but I cannot divorce it—
the narrow canyons press in,
push forward, climb higher.
Always look up,
never wonder if we might
have to move back—
retreat, submit
to the cliffs that grow taller
with each telling,
each passing exaggerating
the deep pools of spring water.
Squeeze through caves,
feel the way along shallow
grooves of sandstone
to ropes of light,
to the surface, to air.
It is like drowning—
drowning in too much sky,
too little room,
and too many possibilities.