New Home in the Southwest

A lean coyote chases a hare through
heat of desert winds. His swift doe
darts past my boots. They've managed
to escape, this time. He'll lead the chase
away another day.

I pause to watch the side-winder as he
considers a kangaroo rat, before moving
on between two century plants to a
rock ledge nearby. The tidy yellow rat
continues eating seeds, gleaning moisture,
never needing to sip drink in this dry
yet vibrant land.

The cactus wren with spotted breast
sits atop a prickly pear. The gilded
flickers' rosy cheeks and banded wings
are a colorful reminder of the beauty
I find out here. Their sturdy tails prop
them upright against a great saguaro,
carving out a hole for nest.

I crunch the tangy bulb of a white
desert lily whose green tendrils curl
on the ground. And here, as evening
cools walking back to my new home,
a silver moon illuminates my path. I
glory in this wondrous desert scene.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Kiggin Avatar
June 21, 2026 at 4:09 PM
This poem was a fantastic read,well penned and so obviously your best work to date.
Harp Avatar
June 21, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Thank you Peter, I'm so glad you like my poem! Moon Harp
Toney Avatar
January 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
I love this, especially the “cactus wren” stanza. What a potpourri of imagery! Fav poem, and belated congratulations on Poem of the Day.
Rodrigues Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 1:52 PM
I’ve seen that scenery and you capture it so nicely! Great imagery. Love the crunching of the desert lily bulb. Congrats on POTD!
Harp Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Thanks, Kim, for the congrats and appreciating my poem.
One Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 9:42 AM
The imagery in this is so vivid and you have described it so poetically.. Excellent poetry. Also congratulations on POTD..
Harp Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 1:51 PM
Thank you so much for your compliments on my poem. Much appreciated.
Rodgers Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 9:06 AM
Dear Moon, What a lovely outpouring of images that brought me right to the scene. My middle daughter and her husband just moved from Tucson, Az and it had a lot of what you described. A huge congratulations on POTD which is so deserving! Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
Harp Avatar
December 16, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Thank you for your compliments on my poem. Much appreciated.
Williams Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 9:06 PM
Dear Moon, as a lover of nature I must congratulate you on your POTD, an excellent panorama of desert ground level life, large and small (micro and macro) little energies, that most people miss. The coyote, The little rat eating seeds, not to forget the Century plants - I lots of them in my Australian garden lol. All the best in your new Home. Maria
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 10:56 PM
Thank you, so much, Maria. I am pleased that you enjoyed my poem and helped me celebrate.
Romios Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 7:22 PM
Congratulations , enjoy the honors a POTD brings~it will ring of Christmas for you, This is beatifully penned. And makes me want to move the Southwesr..You are a poet wizardess Pangie x Pangie x
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 10:57 PM
Yes, Pangie, it was quite a Christmas surprise, Thanks for celebrating with me.
Tor Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 6:54 PM
Back to congratulate you Dear Lady. I knew it was a winner when I first read it. Big Congratulations to you for receiving POTD.
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 10:58 PM
Hi Michael, thank you for celebrating this win with me. It was a nice surprise.
Nicole Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 5:22 PM
Moon, I feel like I'm there with you, enjoying those moments- the beauty. The images you paint leave me in complete awe. Congratulations on Poem of the Day, and welcome to Poetry Soup my dear friend. :) Hugs, Brandy
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Brandy, thanks for the warm welcome and congratulations on my poem.
Gifford Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:26 AM
Hello Moon, this is a wonderful poem, loved it. Congratulations on your POTD win. Enjoy your day.
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:29 AM
Thank you, Zyrool. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Oknin Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 7:35 AM
Great description and observation. I'm in the Soutwest for a few days, I should look for what you describe. Without falling on a cactus.
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:27 AM
Thank you, Gideon. I'm so glad you liked the poem.
Goldsmith Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 7:08 AM
Congratulations on your POTD  win. What a lovely write you have here. Have a blessed day with your wonderful win...............
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:30 AM
Thank you, Paula, for celebrating with me.
Lawless Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 4:42 AM
magnificent imagery Moon, and a take a deep breath, exhale, and enjoy poetic painting.....nicely done
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:35 AM
Thank you, John. I'm so glad you enjoyed my poem.
Kitchin Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 3:55 AM
Moon, great vivid imagery, congratulations on POTD.
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:36 AM
Thank you, Tania, I am so pleased that you enjoyed my poem.
Alex Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 3:47 AM
Coming back to congratulate you. Congratulations!
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:38 AM
Thank you so much, Christuraj. I am so glad you enjoyed my poem. The POTD win was a nice surprise for me.
Andresen Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 2:47 AM
- A vivid image... congratulations on your p.o.t.d. - Lovely poem :) - hugs
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:40 AM
Thank you, Anne-Lise. This POTD was a nice surprise for me. I'm so glad you enjoyed the poem.
Edmonds  Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 1:41 AM
Your new surroundings sound wonderful Moon, lovely poetry. Congratulations on receiving the honour of poem of the day… Beryl
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:42 AM
Thank you, Beryl, for celebrating with me. It was quite a pleasant surprise.
Jones Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 1:15 AM
Yaaaay you won potd! Congratulations!
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:43 AM
Thank you, Karen. This was a nice surprise for me.
Cunningham Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 1:05 AM
Love the imagery in your verse Moon, congratulations to you on today's POTD honour. Tom
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 8:46 AM
Thank you, Tom. Yes it was quite an honor and I'm glad you like my poem.
Alex Avatar
December 14, 2024 at 7:48 PM
"He'll lead the chase away another day", "never needing to sip drink in this dry yet vibrant land" - Very telling verses. Besides these, your word painting has illustrated thee picture of the scene.
Tor Avatar
December 14, 2024 at 10:43 AM
Wow Moon Harp this is so awesome to read. Totally enjoyed all your scenic views you witnessed. Told me about your area, and how beautiful it is with all its scary sidewinder and kangaroo rat. You give the reader a sense of beauty you feel and I wish you many great experiences in your new home. God bless you and this one is a favorite... Thank you for sharing...
Harp Avatar
December 15, 2024 at 12:10 AM
Thank you so much, Michael.
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