Cynthia Anderson

Desertification

A century ago, the steep road that leads to our neighborhood was a rutted dirt track. In sepia, the view across the valley looks empty, no town to speak of. We’ve heard tales of wildflower fields back then, and seasonal waterfalls that cascaded over boulders in the lot next door.

summit
the unrushed vigil
of a red-tail

The Serrano people inhabited this area for millennia. They knew a lush ecosystem no longer here, decimated by free-range grazing. Rock art and scattered artifacts testify to their presence. Once, after a downpour, a perfect white quartz arrowhead surfaced in a nearby wash.

clan animals
coyote and wildcat
hunting shadows

Our daily walk takes us through sunburned scrub, choked by invasive weeds. We see a fraction of the wildlife that we did 15 years ago. Ever hotter and drier, the high desert is withering. But last year was a wet one, an echo of the past. For now, the junipers and Joshua trees breathe easier.

gone to ground
the shed skin
of a red racer

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About the Author

Cynthia Anderson has published 12 poetry collections, most recently Arrival (Sheila-Na-Gig Editions, 2023) and Full Circle (Cholla Needles Press, 2022). She has lived in California for over 40 years. See more of her work at  www.cynthiaandersonpoet.com.

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