Ride the San Juan

by Janet Keeler Wilcox

1st place winner, BYU Charles Redd Writing competition 2013

 

Lead me down your snaky trails
of twisting paths and flinty glaze
to ocher canyons etched in fire
by sunlight's lofty rays.

Ride me o'er your slate blue riffs

As canyon shadows fall,
Where night birds dance above the lake
And lonely eagles call.

Toss me high on rugged waves

Douse me 'til I'm blue,
Bounce me through the rocky course where voyagers are few.

Swirl me past your eddies

Etched by frothy hue.
Take me to your glens and coves
that Anasazi knew.

Wind me 'round your sandstone fjords

Of sandwiched mauves and grey,
Circle me with stony walls
That time has worn away.

Spray me down your waterfalls

Sooth me in your pools.
Shower me o'er your coral ridge
Where sandstone calmness rules.

Hide me in your tombs of jade 

Where elusive peace lies still,
And mirrored reflections tranquilize the agitated will.

 
Guide me to the journey's end

To canyons sprayed with gold
Where calm respite is heaven sent
And river tales are told.