Youngest daughter asks for a poem about mules. In my mind, heart and dreams this turns into an imaginary ride down the Grand Canyon Rim for an overnight trip filled with star gazing and… well…. here….
Mule Ride by Michael Romani I All the stars and dust Out in deepest space Are not enough or as it must These cause folks to embrace The beauty of a mule ride Down the Grand Canyon's side Almost nothing is more sure footed as a mule And my growing daughters would not need a stool To climb abroad for the ride of a lifetime More adventure offered than prime time You give your best cowgirl hoots with abandon As we ride down the rim of this canyon There in you and your sister's sweet eyes Are enough thank you for the morning sunrise As we stay overnight on the canyon floor I can't imagine a father wanting much more II Moments like these are kept through the years How my daughters made friends with long ears Gentle creatures born to carry to capacity And yet unreasonably rumored as contrary Descended perhaps from a carrier of divinity Too often not given proper dignity Yet, our precious loads these bear Delivering these to ground with good care Spoken to with comfort needed to understand Loving the simple touch of gentle hands Laughing with a hugely wide mouthed grin My daughters had each made themselves a friend Clattering hooves on path stones Two princesses set on their mule-ish thrones With big ole noses planted between two brown eyes Steadfastly, took us down to greet the sunrise III A long night spent with stars and shiver The Phantom Ranch sits north of the River Hanging gardens, springs and dripping seeps Flower along the passages as willows weep Abundance of sorts hides among the creosote As guides list off the animals as if by rote Explaining how river canyon provides corridor While hungry eyes search for more and more Excited eyes wonder at the Vishnu Schist As the river bottom rises from morning mists After spending the night stargazing on lark It's said that half of this park shines after dark There in its horizon to zenith view The peaceful Colorado reveals the north as true While happy eyes make out illuminated constellations Cherished as the night at this wistful destination (c) January 13, 2020 Michael Romani All Rights Reserved
