summer_jackel

Desert Equinox, 9.08

We came for the human places here
Driving down that long, smooth run from the Sierra Nevadas,
into the rain shadow below.
Into the embrace of a human oasis,
past the real.
Here there were
acres of lush green, soft deciduous trees, houses
like any other houses;
Bright lights
Delectations.
Above all of it, though, beyond all of it
always
the sere brown hills
the long, empty flanks of tan and thirsty earth.

What grows here is low and silver,
Guards its moisture jealously
Blooms a few shades yellower than the sandy ground.
Surrounds the garish green with patience.

I fear deserts as I am drawn to them.
From those blasted hills,
I can hear my death calling to me,
Gently, quietly.
It says, come alone
come to these dry places, where silence is so loud
walk here restlessly, then rest
a few moments, or an hour, or for always.
Your moisture will be used quickly.
The clean and beautiful bones
may stay
a long time.

I hear you, I hear you.
I will come.
In a little while. Not yet.



***

So, I just got back from Reno, where corpsefairy, an excellent friend of hers and I spent the weekend volunteering to canvas for Sen. Obama, speak with voters and generally attempt to promote the Democratic cause in Nevada, a swing state. It was great to be part of this kind of grass-roots campaigning, and with any luck, our collective efforts may be of some use. I usually avoid politics, just vote as left as I can and still be useful, then go back to being left alone, kthx. But I am completely terrified of what is happening in the country right now, even more terrified at the specter of four more years of Bush or Worse-Than-Bush, and to do something alleviated some of the anxiety, for a little while, at least. Besides, this Obama guy seems to have captured my interest, a little. Oh, my, he has a brain. A an actual, wonderful, thinking, brain. And he WANTS this job? I feel giddy; I may swoon. Can we just elect him, please?

(yes, I know he's not perfect and he certainly won't be able to fix everything. He's at least acting like he wants to move in a useful direction. Let me have a little idealism. I've not much left).

But, I am who I am, and my real attention was elsewhere; see above. Next week, I will be traveling in the Trinity Alps and then to the Lost Coast of Mendocino County; that will take me over two mountain ranges, a desert and the Pacific wilderness in two weeks. I feel as if I am walking my territory over to comfort myself. It's also a hugely profligate example of the use of petrochemicals, of course.

I will attempt to finish doing all of the memes and such that call for my input before I leave again.