Early Spring in the High Desert
Desert beauty is exceptional.32 total reviews
Comment from Wayne Fowler
I like it. It reads very natural, poetic. (smiley face)
The rhyming feels quite natural, smooth.
It makes nice pictures in my head. Having spent considerable time in the high deserts of the west, I can see them.
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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I like it. It reads very natural, poetic. (smiley face)
The rhyming feels quite natural, smooth.
It makes nice pictures in my head. Having spent considerable time in the high deserts of the west, I can see them.
Best wishes.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Wayne, I am delighted my poem makes nice pictures in your head. Many thanks for sharing. Rod
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Congratulations on your first-place win. I enjoyed reading your
entry. I really like the vivid descriptions of the high desert. I have
seen everything you described where I live when I go about 150
miles west. I like the lines about the clouds/sky the best. Your rhyme scheme worked well.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Congratulations on your first-place win. I enjoyed reading your
entry. I really like the vivid descriptions of the high desert. I have
seen everything you described where I live when I go about 150
miles west. I like the lines about the clouds/sky the best. Your rhyme scheme worked well.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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I truly appreciate the congrats and your high praise of my poem, Jan. Thank you! Rod
Comment from the13thpoet
Hello fellow poet. Thank you for sharing your poem, I think you executed well within the rules of the writing prompt. Good job and good luck in the contest.
Nevada's on my bucket list.........for all the wrong reasons.
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Hello fellow poet. Thank you for sharing your poem, I think you executed well within the rules of the writing prompt. Good job and good luck in the contest.
Nevada's on my bucket list.........for all the wrong reasons.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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I appreciate your sharing and praising my poem. If you go to Nevada, see RENO/LAKE TAHOE not Las Vegas if you want scenic beauty. Rod
Comment from June Sargent
I have never been to Nevada, but your poem is enticing me to visit this desert land! The well chosen words have painted a scene that is breathtaking and soothing. Well done.
The sky, smudged pink by rising sun,
soon fills with puffed up scudding clouds
gilt-edged at first then pearly-white,
duets pursued by gath'ring crowds.
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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I have never been to Nevada, but your poem is enticing me to visit this desert land! The well chosen words have painted a scene that is breathtaking and soothing. Well done.
The sky, smudged pink by rising sun,
soon fills with puffed up scudding clouds
gilt-edged at first then pearly-white,
duets pursued by gath'ring crowds.
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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June, I am truly honored by your wonderful praise of my Spring poem and that bonus of six gleaming stars. Many thanks! Rod
Comment from Father Flaps
Terrific poem, Rod! One of the best I've read in Fanstory. You've done a wonderful job describing a desert. I read that Nevada has a few... "the state is dominated by the Great Basin Desert in the north and the Mojave Desert in the southern third of the state, with many smaller deserts throughout, including Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada." So I assume your home state is hot and dry, and a breeding ground of venomous snakes!
"Nevada is home to 5 snake species that can be dangerous to people and pets. They are all members of the Viperidae family, the pit vipers. They are the Sidewinder, Mohave, Speckled, Western Diamondback and Great Basin rattlesnakes. With the exception of juveniles, most rattlesnakes we encounter in Nevada are 1½ to 4 feet long. It is very important to remember that rattlesnakes do not always rattle their tails in warning a rattle does not always precede a strike!"
I hate snakes of all kinds, even New Brunswick's timid non-venomous green grass snake. So I'd never visit the state. The heat would stop me in my tracks as well. But it's easy to tell you have an affection for it.
My favorite lines,
"Trees nuzzled now by bone-dry air
stretch sharp-tipped branches to the sky
as lizards stir from prickly lair."
and,
"The sky, smudged pink by rising sun,
soon fills with puffed up scudding clouds"
and,
"this desert sings a siren's song
in Spring when I do miss her most.
"Come home, my son, where you belong." "
Real nice poem! You should have saved it for a contest.
Cheers,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Terrific poem, Rod! One of the best I've read in Fanstory. You've done a wonderful job describing a desert. I read that Nevada has a few... "the state is dominated by the Great Basin Desert in the north and the Mojave Desert in the southern third of the state, with many smaller deserts throughout, including Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada." So I assume your home state is hot and dry, and a breeding ground of venomous snakes!
"Nevada is home to 5 snake species that can be dangerous to people and pets. They are all members of the Viperidae family, the pit vipers. They are the Sidewinder, Mohave, Speckled, Western Diamondback and Great Basin rattlesnakes. With the exception of juveniles, most rattlesnakes we encounter in Nevada are 1½ to 4 feet long. It is very important to remember that rattlesnakes do not always rattle their tails in warning a rattle does not always precede a strike!"
I hate snakes of all kinds, even New Brunswick's timid non-venomous green grass snake. So I'd never visit the state. The heat would stop me in my tracks as well. But it's easy to tell you have an affection for it.
My favorite lines,
"Trees nuzzled now by bone-dry air
stretch sharp-tipped branches to the sky
as lizards stir from prickly lair."
and,
"The sky, smudged pink by rising sun,
soon fills with puffed up scudding clouds"
and,
"this desert sings a siren's song
in Spring when I do miss her most.
"Come home, my son, where you belong." "
Real nice poem! You should have saved it for a contest.
Cheers,
Kimbob
Comment Written 19-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Wow! Thank you so much, Kimbob, for taking the time to read my poem and write all those comments. And I truly appreciate the praise and six. stars. I grew up in Reno and love the nearby desert. Believe it or not, I never saw a rattlesnake the whole time I lived there. Rod
Comment from Tina Crute
What I loved about this poem: It taught me things I didn't know, but you also went further with excellent imagery, helped me see what Spring in the desert looks like. I like the amount of activity you describe! I can see the creek winding, the trees shaking, the sunrising, the clouds scudding across the sky, etc. The last stanza reminds me of "Country Road Take Me Home" by John Denver. Your words instill that homesick-ness for a beautiful state.
Just beautiful in every way. You have my vote!
Tina
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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What I loved about this poem: It taught me things I didn't know, but you also went further with excellent imagery, helped me see what Spring in the desert looks like. I like the amount of activity you describe! I can see the creek winding, the trees shaking, the sunrising, the clouds scudding across the sky, etc. The last stanza reminds me of "Country Road Take Me Home" by John Denver. Your words instill that homesick-ness for a beautiful state.
Just beautiful in every way. You have my vote!
Tina
Comment Written 18-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Tina, I am so pleased I could put you there in the desert I love. I?m delighted my last stanza reminded you of the John Denver song, one of my favorites. Many thanks, too, for those six bright stars. Rod
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You are most welcome. It's not often a poem makes a reader travel!
Well done!
Tina
Comment from amahra
Loved the poem and the painting as your artwork.
"Come home, my son, where you belong." [really like the last line that wraps it up.]
A creek newborn from winter-melt
side-winds its way to yonder lake
through blue-grey brush, o'er scattered rocks,
by wizened trees whose torsos shake. [I really love this stanza for your word choice.]
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Loved the poem and the painting as your artwork.
"Come home, my son, where you belong." [really like the last line that wraps it up.]
A creek newborn from winter-melt
side-winds its way to yonder lake
through blue-grey brush, o'er scattered rocks,
by wizened trees whose torsos shake. [I really love this stanza for your word choice.]
Comment Written 18-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Thank you very much, Amahra, for your lovely praise of my poem. Rod
Comment from Frances Jean
Written with amazing vivid imagery, so much so that I was immersed amongst those trees with their quaking torsos. Wonderful alliteration too. A great entry for this competition. Good luck Franky
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Written with amazing vivid imagery, so much so that I was immersed amongst those trees with their quaking torsos. Wonderful alliteration too. A great entry for this competition. Good luck Franky
Comment Written 18-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2022
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Oh, I am delightedI could put you there amidst those desert trees, Franky. Many thanks for your kind praise. Rod
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
I've so enjoyed reading all the spring contest entries as they cover the season across America.
Your desert spring sounds lovely. Very descriptive, the reader is there with you.
My favorite line is the last, as it speaks to your love of your home state.
Best of luck with this contest.
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2022
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I've so enjoyed reading all the spring contest entries as they cover the season across America.
Your desert spring sounds lovely. Very descriptive, the reader is there with you.
My favorite line is the last, as it speaks to your love of your home state.
Best of luck with this contest.
Comment Written 18-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2022
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I am delighted you enjoyed my "ode to the desert" (as one reviewer called it). Many thanks, Pam, for your kind praise.
Comment from Wendy G
Impressive and powerful words, and beautiful imagery. A little different from the usual "pretty" poems about spring, and refreshing for that. I like the sense of nostalgia at the end.
Wendy
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2022
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Impressive and powerful words, and beautiful imagery. A little different from the usual "pretty" poems about spring, and refreshing for that. I like the sense of nostalgia at the end.
Wendy
Comment Written 18-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 18-Jul-2022
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I am so pleased you enjoyed my Spring poem, Wendy, and found it "%refreshing." Many thanks for sharing.