The Joshua Trees Poem by Juan Olivarez

Arms raised up high, pleading it seems,
for rain or some miracle from heaven above.
In the middle of nowhere, without any means,
looking forever for the descending dove.
Straight up imploring to the infinite sky,
for God's grace to come like Manna so fine,
supplicating arms as if asking why,
some looking defeated, looking for a sign.
The trek that they follow through this arid lands,
is through the Mojave, a dry desolate sea.
By the thousands these pilgrims, march through this sands,
with their arms towards the heavens, The Joshua Trees.

The Joshua Trees are an exclusive feature of the great Mojave
Desert. Ranging from southern California up through Nevada and
Utah. They can only live at certain altitudes and in certain conditions.
They got their name from the early Morman settlers who were
reminded of the Bible story of Joshua pleading to the lord in Heaven.

5/15/10 29 palms ca.