Capturing Moments in Life

Years earlier, we went to Arches National Park. We tried walking through a narrow passageway to a canyon beyond. The wind was so fierce that it was blowing people over and we had to turn back. When we were in Arches in June we decided to try again.

The slot canyon was beautiful with wind-eroded rocks towering above us. The intense sun warmed the rock walls. We caught glimpses ahead of contorted pines against blue sky. Blooming flowers lined the trail. It was then that I saw the little lizard pressed against a rock and wrote:

Encounter Along a Path

A small, dull brown-green lizard

atop a sun-bathed red rock.

Motionless - almost.

It turns it head toward me - then

quickly away.

Motionless again - almost.

I hold my breath and watch

to see if it is breathing.

The lizard raises and lower

sits body in a pumping motion,

I see its bright green

underbelly.

It lowers itself to the rock -

again motionless - almost.

I step away and leave

a small, dull brown-green lizard

atop a sun-bathed red rock.

                Clem