REDMAN

We came to Darlene's
80th birthday party
rode down Alvey Wash
to discover Redman.

He has been here
a thousand years or more
painted by Anasazi
who walked the rivers
poked holes in the ground
to grow wheat or corn
didn't have horses
painted the ledges
made arrowheads
and stone grinders
lived and breathed
now dust

80 years slip by
we try to leave our mark
words on printed page
paint on canvas
clay sculptured
some way to make
an imprint
of passing
and share our
lives with those
we leave behind

Appreciate
the paintings left
the words and thoughts
that touch our hearts
make us mindful
of gifts yet unreceived