Albuquerque climbs
from the Rio Grande valley
to the Sandia heights.
If you so determine
you may walk trails
from river to clouds.
And whether
you like the view
looking up
looking down
or looking at a friend
it is a good place.
Many of the door
and window frames
are painted turquoise.
Many are the invocations
of priests, rabbis and holy men
at the head of their flocks.
Here you must take
your little dogs inside at night
or coyotes may eat them.
Here a hawk may
glide by your ear
to strike a sparrow or a dove.
copyright © 2022 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 