Rhythm Old as Time

By Gloria Horton-Young

The journal post below was written by the gifted poet and astute commentator on the human condition, Gloria Horton-Young. Gloria is the author of the Substack, She Who Stirs the Storm where she describes herself as a, “Poet, painter, storyteller, rabble-rouser – a tempest in red lipstick. Expect provocative opinions, spirited rants, and lots of laughter. This is my playground, the rules are rewritten daily.”

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Desert.
the clean sharp scent fills me—  
a blend  
sun-warmed stone  
parched earth  
the green resinous tang of hardy plants  
home
here
.
wild untamed smell as ancient as the land
a perfume that speaks
of endless vistas
untold secrets whispered on the wind
.
Sun climbs.
Higher.
Her rays paint  
canyon walls a symphony  
of light  
and shadow
.
angles and planes of rock  
shift  
change  
reveal  
hidden depths  
secret places  
a cliff looms  
stark
imposing
then
delicate tracery of light
dances  
softens harsh edges
.
Sun and shadow play  
an ever-changing tapestry  
beyond the skill of any hand  
as if  
the canyon breathes  
moves to a rhythm old as time  
shadows carve out cool respite  
sun-drenched expanses radiate  
heat  
unrelenting
.
Standing  
watching  
light play with dark  
timelessness washes over  
petty concerns fall away  
a profound sense of connection  
to something  
greater than myself  
in this moment  
I am part  
of the desert's story  
woven into this wild untamed land
.
Sage and creosote  
sun-shifted shadows on the walls  
vast expanse of earth and sky  
a symphony for the senses  
a love song to raw beauty  
and I  
tiny figure  
amidst the grandeur  
blessed to bear witness
.
The day stretches  
reveals more secrets  
a lizard skitters  
scales glint like turquoise  
a raven’s distant cry  
echoes  
a haunting melody that sends shivers
.
In a sheltered crevice  
a barrel cactus  
hoards water  
tenacity of life  
its spines catch the light  
cast delicate shadows  
a miniature echo of the larger play around
.
Sun at zenith
heat a palpable force  
shimmering like a mirage  
even in this scorching midday  
beauty  
red rock glows  
ember  
iron alight by desert sun
.
As day wanes  
shadows lengthen  
desert changes character
frenetic energy gives way to  
hushed expectancy  
mysteries yet to be revealed  
setting sun paints the sky  
a riot of color  
gold orange red to purple and blue
.
Liminal space between  
day and night  
desert alive in new ways  
night-blooming flowers open  
release fragrance into cooling air  
stars emerge  
diamond dust on black velvet
.
Through it all  
the desert sings  
her ageless song  
wind stone sky  
life death rebirth  
and I  
a humble guest  
grateful to have shared  
in even a small part  
of her timeless story.

Red Rock Canyon
Las Vegas, Nevada
23 March 2024

Copyright 2024 by Gloria Horton-Young

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About the Journaling Invitational

Many thanks to Gloria for accepting our invitation to share a post from her nature journal with us. If you would like to send in your own submission, please visit our Journaling with Nature post where you will find instructions and our first challenge. We look forward to hearing from you!

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