Summer Reflections

The top 3 moments of summer, in chronological order: Camping in Canyonlands, climbing Half Dome, and witnessing the birth of my nephew. Here's a poem about the first:

We were in the desert
camping and waking with the sun.
When i rose i watched jackrabbits
chase the shade as it slowly moved eastward.
Lizards found the road and rocks
to warm from the night's chill.
I found the coffee warming the air
brewing in the press pot.
My arms felt the dry silent breath
of the morning's yawn
when i pulled off my sweater.
The jackrabbits disappeared
as i stole their shade.

We were in the desert
walking miles upon miles over red stone.
We moved toward the needles
still silent looming in the distance.
The needles stood like prongs in a comb
marbled with gradients of crimson, scarlet and coral.
More lizards scampered across our path
and ravens eyed us from above
watching over their juniper berries.
We did not, could not, talk much.
Our eyes studied the surroundings in sheer wonder:
The stark contrast of the brick-red sandstone and the golden sunflowers,
the mystifying rock spires standing tall
just beyond the grassy meadow of Chesler Park.
This other world would not allow for conversation.
No words were needed to feel
the connection between landscape and life.
Our simple need for happiness was satisfied
by this wondrous and inexplicable creation of geology.