Homeward

DRIVING EAST 
(a poem by Nellie)

A dust plume rises behind a car

as it speeds across the desert.

Telephone poles shadow a rail line

extending beyond the hazy brown horizon.

Far beyond, golden mountains 
reflect the rising sun

with deep shadows,
and sharp ridges marked by roads
leading to nowhere

I watch, aware of the wonder

through the window 

Of my car speeding across the plane, 

where little grows that I recognize.

sage, blue, blooming yellow

pushing up through white earth

baked dry.