Season 2 Episode 11 COLORADO FINALE
It is over 2 months since Kassandra and returned from Colorado, and only 1 week since we returned from Europe. This podcast completes our National Park odyssey. I am left feeling I want more time in South Eastern Colorado, so we will return to explore more. Please visit my website to see images that complement these poems. (thewalkingpoet.net)
CRESTED BUT --- BUTTE!
The Cozy Cristiana Guesthouse
with home made cookies.
The Bhakti Chai sold on the street.
Bikes parked unlocked
next to colorful flowerpots
Outdoor restaurants
Interior decorators
Ice cream and outfitters
Free shuttle buses.
We have entered an alternate universe,
in the middle of the wild west.
A flash of lightning, the rumble of thunder
high in the surrounding mountains
give a 5 minute warning
before the deluge of bullet size raindrops.
Early morning before sunrise,
leaving this civilized world
heading for the hills.
Through the high priced ski resort.
The muddy road leads through aspens,
where the deer family slowly walks by
and a sharp tailed grouse
casually blends in in the dim light.
To the alpine meadows
oranges, violets and flashes of red.
The sun rises over smooth rolling hills
and the winding river below.
Searching for the calendar shot
its too late the flowers are fading fast.
I am happy to watch a butterfly
waking up with sparkling droplets
and golden rays of sun,
starting another perfect
Rocky Mountain day.
GREAT SAND DUNES WALKING
Each step expands
hot sand flows
like golden water
shimmering heat waves
high altitude too
remind me,
don’t push too hard
trying to catch
ant sized people
high on the sand dune
horizon.
Looking around
surprising golden flowers,
Prairie sunflowers.
pop their heads up.
Wind carved dune edges
create sharp shadows
dramatic patterns.
Every hour of rising sun
reveals new creations,
of sunlight, shapes and shadows.
As sand surfers glide down
the steepest slopes,
while I shuffle and slide
down to the stream.
Fed by the melting snow
of the Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Full sun heat,
no cooling shade,
its time to leave.
What creatures live here?
Ord’s Kangaroo rats
coming out at night
finding food and water
when we humans
have left them alone,
once again.
SURPRISE IN WALSENBURG
Passing through one street towns
Colorado reveals art
murals tell history
Painted flower boxes
show colorful arrangements
Even a lot of rusting antique cars
reminds me of those sweeping
curving shapes and shiny chrome
when cars were a luxury.
Walsenburg’s "Gallery of Friends"
opens up a new world of understanding,
revealing how a community grew.
Ideals ahead of their time,
off the grid, welcoming all.
Artists gathered together.
Like other dynasties
They rose and fell
leaving behind seeds that feed
so the gallery of friends reveals.
Unexpectedly taken upstairs
there a plethora of works
filling every inch of the walls,
a stunning collection:
brightly colored celebrations of Mexico.
politically inspired somber reminders.
Circles, squares and chairs
Historical photographs by masters,
all worthy of MOMA
Maria Cocchiarelli
tells the stories
how it came to be here,
what it all says
how it speaks.
I leave enlightened
amazed, respectful of how much creativity,
has been displayed in this small space
in this tiny town,
to open my eyes and heart
to another Colorado.
GARDEN OF THE GODS
What could have such a name?
What garden do the Gods create.
One of big red sandstone rocks.
As the light of dawn
turns rocks into jewels
the doe and her fawn
behind me look and chew
grasses covered in early dew.
Standing still and silent
we connect our souls.
We are tiny creatures
in this landscape
of God’s garden
of sandstone sculptures.
Thanks for listening. As I just said we are tiny creatures in this landscape of the American West. Yet we have the capability protect or destroy it.
To see some of my photos of the amazing national parks we visited, The Badlands,Mount Rushmore, Canyon lands, Arches, Mesa verde, Black Canyon of Gunisson and the Great Sand Dunes. Please visit www.thewalkingpoet.net
©MartinStrasmore2021