mostly creosote      rust red rock      and yellow slant at late day      are out begging for the rain           to wash in their colors,           to darken them with feeling      flood      and force and storm      can interrupt this canyon life,      marking a difference      in the sudden grass,           can leave it sometimes           gleaming      but mostly creosote gone grey      divides the bank and dry wash bed,      where the water has dug in      and run           and finally sunk back           beyond seeing © 1990 by Beth Stevens