Traveling from Flooded California to Drought-Stricken Arizona

The rainy season comes late or
not at all. It stays long or lingers
at the border, awaiting permission.
Water or none wastes
our wishes on simple things—
colour and ease.
Clever how the sky draws
us away from important complaints,
fixes our gaze on openings,
light, seductive and unsatisfying.
Or attaches us to dark wonders
spread like sad blankets
above us, promising green,
delivering thorns and thirst.

Rebecca del Rio
13 April 2006

Published in the fall 2006 issue of the Canadian literary journal, AguaTerra

You can also listen to Rebecca reading this poem here.