This illustration was created to accompany this poetry:
Walking the Land
by Penelope Sitter
Spirits walk this land. Here where native feet
fell before, where ancient lives passed, now we walk.
Now we in thanks take hold where we long to know
who held and were held here.
Dreams inhabit here. We dream life shared once
for all. We dream with those who long before
dreamed here. Day by well-lived day as we build
we know their spirits strong here.
Light shines searing bright here. As thick clouds drop
desert rain to bless and bring the life of spring,
we know and we praise rain that wets and
light that blazes here.
Spirits walk this land. We honor them and all
they loved: the sparse creosote, the gold-gray sands,
this rocky life. With coyote, snake, hare and hawk,
we now stalk here.