worn sandstone sizzled unprotected mudstone pitted narrow gullies carved mesas striated with mineral pigments
desert marigolds withered black lichen clinged salt brush tumbled moisture depleted
skin sunbaked, blistered lips cracked mouth parched unable to utter one word
damp scent permeated somber thunderhead threatened momentarily hid the setting sun lavender, gray subdued
She sank to her knees head cocked back eyes squeezed closed; she waited
tongue extended yearned for a taste fleeting deluge dirty tracks etched her face
one cloud breathed life into her desert
Suzanne Cottrell is the author of three poetry chapbooks: Gifts of the Seasons, Autumn and Winter; Gifts of the Seasons, Spring and Summer; and Scarred Resilience; and a hybrid book, Nature Calls Outside My Window, A Collection of Poems and Stories (Kelsay Books). Her poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She lives with her husband in central, rural North Carolina. She is an outdoor enthusiast and retired teacher, who enjoys reading, hiking, knitting, Pilates, and yoga. Read more about her writing journey at www.suzanneswords.com.
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