Awe-Inspiring Panorama

My Startled Eyes

pale streaks across a pristine blue sky
the only semblance of clouds
as unanswered rain-prayers die

the high contrast of flaxy gold and beige
dead grasses and bushes wave along with
sleepy trees, their deep blue-greens

while stony grays and dark shadows
startle my eyes in the mid-day sun
as a passing roadrunner nearly runs me over

flicking its tongue … beep, beep…

–LE – 2/8/25