Miniature Juniper

Although I hardly gave it a thought

I didn't really doubt

our miniature juniper, a bonsai,

would survive our desert vacation.

                                                  It likes the dry

air of our home, needs water

once a week at most and seems

meditative and active, both. While away

I rediscovered my love of agaves�"

                                                  sotol and century

plant�"met Mortonia and became

reacquainted with squawbush, its citrus

drupe which makes traveling the long horizon

of the desert uplands endurable.

                                                  Live oaks -- �"emory,

wavyleaf�" -- dominant and regally spaced

giving ground to mesquite only on the sere

sand flats. I counted and drew inflorescenses,

spikelets, florets, awns but grasses

                                                   remain a mystery

their microscopic parts. This year

I'll study, give them serious thought before

our Spring starts. The cactus wren was the one

bird I could be certain about. Sunsets

                                                   made me sorry

the desert is not my home. But the ocotilloes

flowered before we left and that made up

for the vicious attack of a hedgehog cactus.

Impressive, ponderosa pine and Arizona cypress

                                                   the canyon canopy

watered with snowmelt and along the high cliffs

limestone formations predating our arrival by

ten million years of weather. Newspapers

kept us aware humanity had not accomplished yet

                                                   the end of history

and that was fair. The planes were full of citizens

who no longer applaud upon landing. Snow flew,

not a pinyon pine or manzanita within two moons

walking. On the dining room sideboard, waiting,

                                                   our miniature juniper.