considerthe abundant sagebrush:
yesterday’srefugees deep
rootsnow in disturbed grassland
[abandoneddryland-farms]
what comes in
when spaceis made?
west ofArizona’s Snowflake
andSunflower all the way down
to theborder transmission towers
sentries for the wired world
hide infolds of pine-studded hills
peer outfrom fog that rises [steam
fromthe kettle of the canyon]
burnt-outechoes of saguaro march
brandish charred spines
acrossthe cracked flat to the east
windturbines: asylum seekers
in thisnew age we are creating
theyrise above a non-responsive canvas
revolvetheir paddles in greeting
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and weare among wayside shrines and pilgrims: date palms [migrated to this new/oldworld by Jesuit burros’ scatological offerings] swayin breezes along the waterways
and in this warm land from thedesert across the road el ocotillo waves slender arms
to returnthe palms’ salutation los ciriosdither and stretch los cardónes [each one crowned
with avulture] stand their ground