Desert Tortoise “Hope”

What seemed like endless searching,

Motion-filled hours staring at the ground.

Hot sun barreling down upon us,

Wind and dust stirring all around.

Each four-wheeling excursion,

We envisioned finding you.

Among an expanse of rocks, dirt and brush,

Seemed impossible, but we knew!

And there you were, at summers end,

Inching slowly on your way.

Rugged, beautiful, healthy,

You were so very worth the wait!

Just to see you up close,

Your sharp claws grasping the earth.

What a gift God gave us that day,

Our little desert tortoise named “Hope”

©Elizabeth Dianne Allee

Placid Paddling…

Lake Mead, NV

Through the glass,

My paddle passes.

Breaking gently into tiny pieces,

Rapidly repairing placidity.

One repetitive,

Awkwardly rhythmic row after another,

Propels me toward my destination of non-specificity.

The depth of the water below varies,

As time and distance pass.

And my fear is directly correlated with that depth,

Yet the fear is thrilling…

The heat of the sun,

The wayward frigid splashing from my paddle,

Balance my experience beautifully.

October kayak in Nevada, upon Lake Mead.

With mountains cradling crisp clear waters,

Sets my spirit free…

©E.D. Allee
October, 2015