Sedona, Arizona
Nestled in a canyon sits Sedona,
Beauty complementing deep mystique.
Mighty walls of rock and cliff and towers—
The atmosphere responds to those who seek.
Natives of that canyon, they discovered
Enlightenment and overwhelming peace.
Wonderment abounds in those surroundings,
A purity which offers life new lease.
Drama plays its role there in Sedona
Where stillness of the elements prevails,
Yet a subtle power source is present
Within that calm retreat of canyon trails.
More I’d like to know that red rock canyon
To meditate and wander there at length,
Lend my ear to messages around me,
Breathe, believe, renew my waning strength.
Margaret Brinton has lived in San Diego’s inland valley area for over forty years where she taught and tutored. Her poems have recently been published in California Quarterly and Westward Quarterly and The Lyric with upcoming work in the greeting card industry.
Margaret, I love the simplicity of this beautifully written poem! Every word carefully selected, not an unnecessary word. I’m inspired by your style of writing! Your poem is a fitting tribute to Sedona.
Such places do have a rejuvenating effect. Sounds beautiful, Margaret.
The wording and flow of this poem make me really feel the ‘subtle power source’ the scene. You perfectly embody such a place in this work. Thank you for sharing!
To Thomas and Paul and Scott,
Thank you , gentlemen, for reading my work and for your extremely supportive comments.
I appreciate very much your time and effort in response to my poem.
Margaret, I’ve driven through the Sedona canyon, without expecting the effect the scenery naturally conveys. The red of the rock in the post illustration above is impressive, but to my mind, the lower canyon walls surrounding the visitor on the ground look redder and feel stronger. It’s much like a transfusion of energy, as if the rock was supplying fresh blood. I understand why your poem presents a wish to be there longer for a renewal of strength. And I understand why the word “canyon” comes back in every stanza, with the emphatic “red rock canyon” saved for last. Being in the embrace of those walls is vital.
As well, I’m much impressed with the rhythms of the poem. It can be read as pentameter–trochaic in all the odd-numbered lines, and iambic in the even-numbered lines, with lines 2 and 16 being headless iambic (one stressed syllable only in the first foot). But there is also the possibility of reading the poem as trimeter, with three stresses only in each line. This softens the reading and requires less breath. It suits the notion that the speaker needs a renewal of energy. Lines 2 and 16 then provide the best pattern of the whole, with stresses perfectly symmetrical on the first and middle and final syllable of each line. And if read as trimeter, the poem has two runs of three unstressed syllables each in every single line. This is rare in English poetry. I don’t know a term for it, and I’m wondering if you planned it. But planned or not, it’s a beautiful thing!
Thank you, Ms. Coats, for your intricate analysis. I will revisit my syllabic stresses as you so carefully did. My work was not random, but I don’t have the scientific editorial background as you do. I am so happy that the poem was pleasing to you.
Margaret, I visited Sedona Canyon on more than one occasion having lived several years in Tucson and then twice being stationed at Fort Huachuca for military intelligence courses. The whole region has many places like Sedona where one can meditate while hiking. There is beauty in desert surroundings that many do not appreciate with the stark landscapes. Your precious poem brought back those memories of peaceful feelings while observing the surrounding terrain and contemplating those who roamed there in the past. As I recall, somewhere to the south of there was a hummingbird sanctuary with a large number of species in a protected habitat. It does seem for those willing to contemplate that the breeze whispers to those who “lend an ear.”
Thank you , Roy. I am happy that my poem brought back positive memories for you . I am not familiar with the sanctuary that you mentioned, but I agree that the atmosphere is stimulating in a quiet way.
Margaret, there is so much beauty in the flow and rhythm of your poem I can almost breathe in its peace.
Extraordinary!
I do thank you, Paulette.
I agree that there is something satisfying when written words can make the intangible to become tangible.
I lived in Arizona for three-and-a-half years, but never made it to Sedona because the places where I lived had magic enough. Thanks for this, Margaret — I now feel I’ve been there by proxy.
Thank you, C.B. , for reading my work. I appreciate your encouraging comment regarding the descriptions and images in this poem.
The landscape is quite alien compared to my surroundings, but I can see how someone would find the stillness very meditative.
Cheryl, thank you. Yes, despite the starkness and the remoteness of Sedona, my experiences there led me into a very contemplative mood. It has a unique beauty, for sure.
Your lovely poem has stirred memories of a Red Rock Canyon (Nevada) horse ride in 2018. It was then I learned no photograph can capture “that Beauty complementing deep mystique” the vision offers. The sunset Mike and I witnessed, with the breathtaking wonder of light on the rocks with the spirit of the past and present dancing all around us, gave us the gift of a memory we draw upon to renew [our] waning strength. Margaret, thank you!
Thank you for reading and responding, Susan.
I am happy that my poem refreshed some of your own memories !