2 Nights at Palo Duro Canyon

From CCC cabins we four

look deep into Texas space

at Palo Duro's winding canyon

laced with Spanish skirts

of eroded pink sandstone

rising above pinyon and

juniper trees circled above

by red-tailed hawks in search

of prey like rattlers and

lizards and scurrying mice.

We enjoy the rising of a

Comanche moon silhouetted

by juniper branches dimly

reflecting moonlight like

spirits of the past who

yielded to forceful blue coats.

We arise at sunrise with

Lighthouse Rocks glinting

bright light beckoning us

to hike along a dusty trail

up to their heights where

we can see sandstone

layers in the hazy distance

and chest-high prickly pear

cactus popping with yellow

blossoms and painted buntings

perched on pines. Slowly we

saunter past towering spires

under bright white puffs of cloud

until we once again stand at

the canyon's edge at our

CCC cabins and thoughtfully

watch the rising of the moon.