A Strange World Poem by Juan Olivarez

The Mojave is a strange, and wonderful world,
Full of life, that is mostly hidden.
A strange, wonderful world indeed.
With it's white sands,
Joshua trees,
Creosote bushes blooming yellow,
And the spiny Cholla, that is everywhere.
The Teddy bear cactus,
With his deadly spines.
Walking through the Mojave,
Just a few feet, and turning around,
And you will be lost,
Nothing seems the same.
The Mojave changes constantly,
I met my friend Dick Glenk once,
Deep in the desert.
After we said goodbye, I walked three steps,
Turned around, and Dick had vanished.
That is the riddle, of this strange and wonderful land.
There are rises and falls,
Washes and canyons,
And hills full of quartz.
If you don't know her,
The Mojave will deceive you.
She will promise you the moon and stars,
And in the end, you end up,
Going round in circles,
Trying to find those promises.
A strange and wonderful world indeed.
And a serene and peaceful place.
She calls to me constantly,
Across the miles,
Across the endless miles,
I hear her call.
Perhaps, someday, soon,
I will return.

8/20/11 Alton Texas