Bone Tree (for Georgia O'Keeffe)

Arthritic hands of ancient woman trace
crooked bone-white lines on lilac sky,
swollen joints at angles. Artist's eye
joins tree to bone, tree to deep-lined face
in dryland dialogue. Distorted fingers
limn naked roots in bare eroded earth
clenched like desperate fists enduring dearth
under periwinkle light that lingers
in frames of ivory limbs.
A sense of place.
Affection for unwelcoming and dry
surroundings. Solemn awe instead of mirth.
Ignoring transient blooms, rain-fed rebirth
of colors water-splashed but soon to die,
she finds, in trees of bone, enduring grace.

Collection available! Knocking from Inside