California Desert (quiet, wind, tumbleweed and sand)

I walked out into the California desert
high desert called me to the quiet just before the dark
i saw 14 crosses casting shadows against the cold canyon walls
Mohave winds were blowing cold, hard, and tall

the grato whispered to me
"this is your mission"
so i stopped to pray with Veronica on the way

a black raven called out
as he cut the sky in two
gliding on a brooding storm cloud spitting rain

I walked out into the California desert
high desert called me to the quiet just before the dark
i saw 14 crosses casting shadows against the cold canyon walls
Mohave winds were blowing cold, hard, and tall

i bowed my head
took off my hat
knelt down on the blowing sand

i thought about Jesus
and His 40 days all alone
about the desert fathers and St. Jerome

I walked out into the California desert
high desert called me to the quiet just before the dark
i saw 14 crosses casting shadows against the cold canyon walls
Mohave winds were blowing cold, hard, and tall

then the setting sun broke through the thinning clouds
the light played upon the beauty of this land

Mother, pray for me in this lonely desolate place
of quiet, wind, tumbleweed and sand
of quiet, wind, tumbleweed and sand

wkm
Mt. Carmel in the Desert
Palmdale CA