Concerning California

Tuolumne Meadows (Photo credit: mcbridejc)

i.
In the Central Valley
grape vines stretch
like languorous lovers,
soak sweetness
from California sun,
shrivel,
become raisins–

ii.
while in (October)
wine country to the north
acres of gold
and scarlet leaves
shelter clusters of their counterparts;
juicy fruit waits
for harvest.
Swirl, inhale, taste
flavor-laden Zinfandel.
Light shines through goblets,
backlights Earth’s blood.

iii.
Stretches of desert
undulate,
overwhelm the unwary
who prowl in search of
gold
or God,
find instead
green chrysolite
or Satan.

iv.
Half Dome beckons,
climb me!
Below his façade
Tuolumne Meadows sprawl,
carpets of wildflowers
flaunt their palette,
entertain bears and bucks.

v.
Pacific—not always true
to her name—churns,
swells, caresses, collides
with miles of costal sand
and craggy cliffs
which drown in contented abandon
to her moods.

This poem is just a beginning draft–I hope to expand on the theme. Shawna at Flipside Records offers words for inspiration and I thank her for getting my muse in gear. I’m linking this to dVerse Open Link Night, where many talented poets join to share their words in the wonder of poetry. Stop by, read, enjoy and comment.