Welcome Pardner Elizabeth R . Goettle

Here trail among the vignettes of a blossomed nest of scenics beguiling from dawn through evening to inhale the pulse of the West .

For warming with a poet ’ s fling come savor lures of many a pictorial and find renewal as lovers sing well charmed while “ Walking Tall !”

If travelling or upon a quest wander within lost histories weaving flavor of a frontier savvy where lore unravels a westerner ’ s zest , scores tall tales with a sun-ray ' s fan .

Beside a pause old yesterdays spun toy the legends whose mysteries hum yet rides through the sieve of sand . Lingering wins to psalm off a stall …

freeing a groan the cities amend . Now take a detour to the spell of a call travel , sharing by every wave the “ Welcome Pardner ” til ’ evenings fall .

For Love of the Prairie Place

Jerri Garza

Farther heights of mountains touch the mists When early morning ’ s fog ripples off valleys at dawn a pioneer villa in the village awakens a yawn … ‘ howdy pardner ’… a hello in a smile of nature ’ s kiss .

Travelling over , around and down among hills to canyons tall allowing space enough from city walls , here ’ s living near pause in grace the spirit fills to overflowing , by cacti blooming all calming calls …

In solitariness , no whispers of trammel tries invade the breath , nor echo from towers abide the shelter near the sanctuary of soundless skies .

Give evenings you ’ ll ponder after midnights plan another hour , a few ranches flicker down the run the depth of night may lover a constellation … holding spell-bound , the traveler lingering by sand !

Far viewing from every turning , you scan sage by cacti and beyond the mauve of a mesa rim , the breath of sky and a distance never dim , fold a medallion in memory for fondling the span !

From waysides up and down to an arroyo and stream , a kindly salute from a passing herder ’ s hand … a firmament from night , a warmth in every gleam !

Artwork by Elizabeth R . Goettle