9 Comments
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William Melgar's avatar

Wow. So many vivid images Zerenner! Nice stuff!

Zerenner's avatar

Thanks for reading, William!

It was a lot of fun drawing as much imagery and specificity from the limited word count. Desert poetry isn't new but I wanted to go a different way with it and still express my love for the biome after visiting SoCal.

William Melgar's avatar

Wow I've lived here in LA all my life and but not once have I visited the California desert before. This made it so much awesomer! Where were you visiting from? Are you near LA?

Ellis Wiens's avatar

That flow’s on point!

Zerenner's avatar

Thanks for reading Ellis. When you only have twelve lines, flow helps make them count!

Antonio Castellaneta's avatar

“Once a year— / Once a year—” gives the poem its pulse. I loved how the tree feels both metallic and alive, almost impossible against that vast dryness, waiting for rain without surrendering to the wait.

Zerenner's avatar

Thanks for reading, Antonio!

Inspired by my recent trip to Southern California, I wanted to capture that austere beauty of the trees in the dryness.

Thirty Poems's avatar

wondrous, z ☄️

Michelle's avatar

To want, nearly to pine (but I see no pines)