World AIDS Day

 

Sunset on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
for Judd Polivka 1940-1992

In afternoon, sun
becomes more precious, spare
near evening, as it falls
toward that spot, there

on the mountain. That far
spot, where trees thin
and shale shows through. 

You can see the shape
of the world there
at the curving edge
of sky. 

In the last moment
sagebrush burns
red. Then

stars. Pale
and countless
as dust

       as ashes.

In afternoon, sun
becomes more precious, spare
near evening, as it falls
toward that spot, there

on the mountain. That far
spot, where trees thin
and shale shows through. 

You can see the shape
of the world there
at the curving edge
of sky. 

In the last moment
sagebrush burns
red. Then

stars. Pale
and countless
as dust

       as ashes.

Comments

[cindy]

this is a terrific poem.

BTW, the chicken mask still adorns my living room....

[David]

Such an exquisite gift for an old friend.....George Judd Polivka....and with furtther contemplation....how blessed I too am....and...sad......