Sadness

Tonight in the Southwest
Sadness is disappearing

Tonight in splash-marks
On boulders

In the streambed
Sadness is disappearing

On mesas
In processions

Of miner’s candles
Like Hohokam

Returning from the gulf
With salt

Tonight in the eyes
Of the oldest lion

Stirring our tracks
And in the heart

Of the cactus blossom
In the red spider

Knitting wheels
Humming to herself

In a voice like transparent thread
Sadness is disappearing

The maidenly lizard
In her sandstone room

In the dim light of a quartz lamp
Makes love to her shadow

Sadness is disappearing
Tonight in the desert