Deserts

May 11

I am thankful for deserts. They may appear lifeless, but in truth, they are teeming with rare and unusal life. I love the simplicity of its beauty.

This is a photo of the desert near Joshua Tree National Park in California at sunset. The story of Joshua Tree is forever implanted in my brain for it was there that one of my favorite singers, Gram Parsons, overdosed and died. I loved this national park for the simple but elegant beauty of the joshua trees, the cacti, the desert sand, and the mountains. But, above all, my brain will be haunted by the juxtaposition of this place and some of my most beloved music.

in the desert at joshua tree

in the desert

at joshua tree

a beloved singer

was there lost to me

he sang hickory wind

but was called back home

he was known as gram

no more there to roam

in the tree

joshua there is seen

reaching his hands heavenward

in prayer to intervene

if gram had a  tree

in prayer i would say

rest in peace my man

for ever and a day

in the dessert

of joshua tree

i found a spirit

that had been set free.

© rt tulley