The most beautiful and surprising of places. A landscape of deep, ancient trees rises from a desert in bloom.
Traveling from Phoenix toward a portal ceremony of a lovely guide-friend in New Mexico, I found myself driving through landscapes that garnered celebration, respect, awe. Less than two months earlier, I had been in this same desert…pre-bloom. I loved it then.
Seeing the desert in bloom for the first time held a potency that I keep as medicine in a sweet, small sack. The desert-bloom medicine is savored when my faith is short and belief seems to have no ears. The desert in bloom gave me something to erupt in joyous bouts of tear-songs to, to break out the best ferments and offer a toast for, to fall out onto knees and kiss the sweet ground over.
And yet, I had no idea about the Gilas. No idea that as my journey continued through a blooming wildflower celebration, I’d be nearing the majestical biological wonder that is the Gila Mountains. A range erupts from the desert, covered in ancient Pinions. An abrupt climb up from the dry place and there’s a lush forest, lakes, wetlands, Elk.
These mountains provoked my waking, rising, and meeting eye-to-eye the tooth-soul of my searching.
After long wandering, a dance was made.
A long recording, yes. Notice the ones who are keeping count, holding the rhythm.
Be First to Comment