Here I am, sitting. Listening.
Watching as the desert wakes up.
The sky turns a wisp of clouds
from crimson to pink to golden
as the sun rises.
The birds are awake,
calling out to each other,
and the morning is so quiet,
you can hear the beat of their wings
as they flit from one cactus to another.
I get out and walk into the desert
and catch a glimpse
of a bright yellow breasted bird.
I hear what sounds like a woodpecker

in the distance
and rustling in the underbrush
as animals begin their day.
There air is calm and silent
as the sun begins to
warm the mountains
in the distance.
As the sun makes it way
up into the sky
shining down,
warming my skin,
I can feel the intensity
of the desert sun
and know it will be
a warm, sun-filled day.