Howard F. Stein’s most recent poem to appear here was “Triumph of Hate” (December 2016)
Mesas and Meadows
By Howard F. Stein
Ghost Ranch, New Mexico
Two hundred million years
pass in a fleeting second—
one moment, dinosaurs roam
equatorial marshlands;
in the next, high desert meadows
carpet the valley
with hay fields, cattle,
and tall stalks of yellow chamisa.
What is this mind
that can travel faster
than the speed of light,
and discern time
in a glance at tall strata
of ancient mesas?
I do not know which
is the greater marvel,
the rapid change of hues
in the setting sun—
or the ability
to notice it at all.
Food for thought!
Love the last stanza!