This eckphrasis poem was inspired by the artwork of a local Native American artist.

The form is Normative Syllabic Verse.

NEW SUMMER

Spidery, bronzed toes and fingers scramble for strong holds

in the ragged rock. Brown eyes, small mouth and straight nose turn

to her future lover, the sun, basking in the warm

golden striations cast on her soul. DeChelly's hard brown

sugar cliffs enclose her in an earthen hug needed

like corn and water. Speed mixes with grace, and she skirts

obsidian knives without a scratch, her eagle eyes

on the cushion of green up above, soft as a sheet

of moss. Rippling wind brings beating wings. Eagle soars high,

weaves a medicine wheel in the sky. She waves a hand.

His lazy wink and flap of feathers pushes her on

towards that fragrant heaven amidst dry desert thorns

and those wispy breakfast clouds. Remembered tang of dew

fresh grass stains the right mixture of clean air, clay earth, cool

water on her tongue. Taut muscles beneath cotton white

dress drag her reedy frame up two more feet, too far yet.

Reaching the top, she smiles the smile her mother sometimes

says will be her ruination. Hungry eyes consume

the cliff-top, searching for signs, evidence in the land

her secret place has been found. But serenity's sounds

reign. Weaving and other chores blow away on the breeze

as she lies dreaming on her new summer bed and clouds

and spirits whisper stories old into eager ears.