WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.160 align:middle line:84% This next poem is probably the newest poem, 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:07.590 align:middle line:84% and maybe the newest thing that happened 00:00:07.590 --> 00:00:11.190 align:middle line:84% in one of my recent visits to New Mexico. 00:00:11.190 --> 00:00:13.290 align:middle line:84% Again, wandering around southern New Mexico. 00:00:13.290 --> 00:00:15.450 align:middle line:84% It's probably my favorite part of the state, where 00:00:15.450 --> 00:00:17.190 align:middle line:84% not as many people go and I guess 00:00:17.190 --> 00:00:20.790 align:middle line:84% more things are hidden in a way there than in other more 00:00:20.790 --> 00:00:22.380 align:middle line:90% popular areas. 00:00:22.380 --> 00:00:25.260 align:middle line:84% Also, this is a response to hearing a wonderful reading 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:29.640 align:middle line:84% by one of my favorite poets, Robert Wrigley, who I think 00:00:29.640 --> 00:00:32.100 align:middle line:90% teaches up in Idaho. 00:00:32.100 --> 00:00:36.990 align:middle line:84% "The Horns at Sierra Ladron, New Mexico." 00:00:36.990 --> 00:00:40.380 align:middle line:84% "I focus on the ocotillo branch, wasp dancing 00:00:40.380 --> 00:00:42.660 align:middle line:84% through the brittle hair of the straw, 00:00:42.660 --> 00:00:46.590 align:middle line:84% missing the spider web stretched across the path. 00:00:46.590 --> 00:00:50.910 align:middle line:84% I avoid the thorns, watch two owls depart in flight, red ants 00:00:50.910 --> 00:00:53.040 align:middle line:90% streaming on the ground. 00:00:53.040 --> 00:00:55.740 align:middle line:84% Someone hides on the other side of the stream 00:00:55.740 --> 00:01:00.390 align:middle line:84% whose bells ring like water, tracing the Earth too late. 00:01:00.390 --> 00:01:03.450 align:middle line:84% He has followed my trail, folds of green leaves 00:01:03.450 --> 00:01:06.660 align:middle line:84% and cactus bulbs steering us to imperfection as we 00:01:06.660 --> 00:01:09.420 align:middle line:90% see what we have been told. 00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:12.450 align:middle line:84% There are elk horns up in the tree. 00:01:12.450 --> 00:01:14.130 align:middle line:84% We were asked to bring them back, 00:01:14.130 --> 00:01:16.950 align:middle line:84% take the scars out of the tree in the season that kills 00:01:16.950 --> 00:01:20.160 align:middle line:84% the rain, the horns becoming local legend 00:01:20.160 --> 00:01:22.800 align:middle line:90% before they disappear. 00:01:22.800 --> 00:01:25.080 align:middle line:84% They are entangled a few feet above the ground 00:01:25.080 --> 00:01:28.380 align:middle line:84% in the branches of the tree, perhaps there for years, 00:01:28.380 --> 00:01:33.300 align:middle line:84% the elk shedding its horns the way I avoid the cave beyond. 00:01:33.300 --> 00:01:35.880 align:middle line:84% The rocks in the opening are lined with moss, 00:01:35.880 --> 00:01:38.310 align:middle line:90% a place I have known. 00:01:38.310 --> 00:01:41.610 align:middle line:84% Staring at the cave I have been inside before, blind 00:01:41.610 --> 00:01:44.700 align:middle line:84% and afraid of movement that pulled at the mighty head, 00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:47.340 align:middle line:90% and took its horns. 00:01:47.340 --> 00:01:49.470 align:middle line:84% I won't emerge from there, climb to the sun 00:01:49.470 --> 00:01:52.500 align:middle line:84% instead, the cliff a forgiven thing as I 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:54.600 align:middle line:90% hear the rattler nearby. 00:01:54.600 --> 00:01:55.980 align:middle line:90% I can't see it. 00:01:55.980 --> 00:01:58.440 align:middle line:84% Stick my thumb in a prickly pear instead, 00:01:58.440 --> 00:02:00.840 align:middle line:84% meet the challenge of the matted grass, 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:06.690 align:middle line:84% the quick blue jay, the paws of a man stalking himself below. 00:02:06.690 --> 00:02:09.300 align:middle line:84% I think fire but cannot kiss the finger, 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:13.740 align:middle line:84% a sudden rodent disappearing under a rotting trunk. 00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:16.380 align:middle line:84% As I step again, a rumble in the distance. 00:02:16.380 --> 00:02:19.980 align:middle line:84% When I turn to find the dark clouds, the one who was hiding 00:02:19.980 --> 00:02:22.140 align:middle line:90% stands and runs. 00:02:22.140 --> 00:02:25.230 align:middle line:84% In his footprints, I see the way down. 00:02:25.230 --> 00:02:28.860 align:middle line:84% In his serving ground, he leaves a sign for me in his carvings 00:02:28.860 --> 00:02:32.280 align:middle line:90% on the tree, perhaps my name. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:33.588 align:middle line:90% I go back to the horns. 00:02:33.588 --> 00:02:35.130 align:middle line:84% I want to pull them from the branches 00:02:35.130 --> 00:02:37.920 align:middle line:84% but can't reach them, or touch the fading white 00:02:37.920 --> 00:02:42.180 align:middle line:84% of those twisted swords that were left up there for someone, 00:02:42.180 --> 00:02:43.710 align:middle line:90% not me. 00:02:43.710 --> 00:02:46.830 align:middle line:84% The thunder nears as I slip on the slick floor of leaves. 00:02:46.830 --> 00:02:49.980 align:middle line:84% Go down easy to sit against the tree 00:02:49.980 --> 00:02:53.280 align:middle line:84% under the horns that point to the far road. 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:56.310 align:middle line:84% When I get to my knees, I hear them breaking and splintering, 00:02:56.310 --> 00:02:59.910 align:middle line:84% a shadow bringing the story I wanted about the man 00:02:59.910 --> 00:03:02.270 align:middle line:90% who ran out of there."