Canyon Song

Evening at the Canyon.

The tired sun hangs low,

Washes mile high walls

In a blur of pink and blue.

Shines its bent light

On our sad parade.

A sudden uplift of air.

Canopy of pines overhead

Say shhhhh.......

Their brown needles stir

In little whorls

Under our feet.

Send up a sweet incense.

We dare not speak.

We leave the prayers

To be whispered

By the treetops.

With a gentle shake

We send you flying,

To settle on these graves,

Mingle with the pores

Of those you have loved.

At that moment of release,

The trees shimmer.

Hold their breath.

Your song hangs for a moment

Its chorus dusting

Every needle, every leaf.

We have salted the clouds,

Know that the rains

Will bring you back,

Their tears

Staining the Canyon.

A condor caws.

We turn our eyes up,

See it suspended there

High above the lace of the pines,

Its fringed arms spread wide.

We stand stupid

In this holy mist of bone.

And dare to breathe you in--

One last time.