Our great western landscape
like the wilderness east of Jerusalem
.              mandates prophets.

Seers wandering in the shadows of mesas
.            and canyons bounding the wide
.            endless dry, ancient sea beds
Places for the desperate
.                  and the mad,
a land of delusions, mirage,
.           and brilliance, rocks, sky
.           and quick flashing storms of summer.

Pueblo Indian country, Ute and Mormon country,
.           gamblers, cows, and stubborn believers
.                         in wild religions,
seeing glory beyond their hard lives.
Veils cover the stark emptiness.

.                     Kent Bowker    8/10/14