April’s Opulent Desert: Breathing Room
David Denny
April 14, 2023
Ocotillo and Organ Pipe

Our latest Fire and Light podcast is now available: “Breathing Room for the Spirit.” We explore ways to create breathing room in a world of speed and utility. We describe a recent desert camping trip and I recite “Superbloom Toast,” the poem that appears below. Since April is National Poetry Month, we ponder the value of poetry and its relationship to contemplation. This month’s Fire and Light meditation helps us slow down, pay attention, and enjoy everyday wonders. Find links to “Breathing Room for the Spirit” here, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Superbloom Toast

Rusty ocotillo leaves, red flags
Run up the spike-bone masts. Rambunctious April
Spews up a stew of brittles, fiddles and scorpions.
Chalk chicory discs and hedgehogs rave
Beneath solemn saguaro towers.

How?

How did this happen?

Take one

Big-monsoon July, add rain-chill winter,
Hot summer-bound sun and icy wind
And shake until the music spills …

Crayola-
Confetti-martini-parading.

Lovestruck.

Cheers!

–David M. Denny, April 6, 2023

Hedgehog blossoms

Hedgegog cactus blossoms at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

5 Comments

  1. francesca moulinier

    Heartwarming poem with a beautiful photo!!!!
    Thank you for the reminder to “slow down and pay attention”….

    Reply
    • David Denny

      And thanks for your response, Francesca. Happy Easter Season!

      Reply
  2. nancy wolter

    Love how you capture the rhythm of desert bloom in these potent images!

    Reply
  3. Tania Casselle

    I love this poem, what a joy! Thank you for sharing it. That first stanza made me think of Gerard Manley Hopkins…. the alliteration and the relish of it! That is of course a compliment 🙂
    The energy completely captures the spring thrust — although here in Taos we’re only starting to get a few flirty blossoms on the apricot trees. We’re not that far along yet.
    I saw the link in the Desert Foundation email today and I’m glad I clicked it.
    Thanks again for bringing a smile to my face.

    Reply
  4. deb giles

    Thanks for the poem, you master wordsmith!
    Praying the retreat goes well.

    Reply

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