Along these natural ridges at Inspiration Point,
which shine like coral reefs in summer heat,
I peer below rich glow of sunshine, tangerine on melon-gold,
to where a world of wonder meets all tourists mingling here
to view old splendor standing after centuries of change.
Such tiny turrets, larger hoodoos, towers, arches, spires,
high castles, the suggestion of windows, colored columns,
in all shades of peach, rust, and orange!
See smattering of cinnamon, some pinnacles frosted gypsum-white,
a reddish range of temples, or cathedrals finely etched
in apricot-sienna sandstone, limestone, quartzite, even
shale, among pinyons and crooked juniper.
Hear rushed whispers of wind, winding high and husky,
while confident ravens caw above chipmunks who scurry
to hide in their favorite Ponderosa pine hollow.
Two sparrows twirl and twitter, dive in teasing twists.
A pretty spread of pink adorns one layer in Fairyland,
as animals and humans alike breathe in scent of distant rain
beneath huge thunderheads along the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
Headward erosion has left behind honey-caramel formations
all in stones which exude regal reverence--
serene, clean, and silent.
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