The beauty that surrounds this small town
has brought artisans of various cultures.
Red rock cliffs, juniper and cactus abound
Blue skies, a fair climate increase tours.
It has been said that this city still slumbers.
That time has stood still with no progress.
For the restaurants and motels outnumber
the families that every year grows less.
It has been said that there are many drunks
asleep in alleys and the banks of Rio Puerco.
I’ve known of the street gangs and punks
writing graffiti on the walls as they go.
For all the problems that exist in Gallup
don’t outweigh its popularity and pace.
Bike trails, the scenery, balloons rising up
brings a sense of calm and a certain grace.
Many people leave for the big, bright cities
but come back yearning for just a taste
of clean air, slow pace and their families
and those memories that can’t be erased.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
I live in Ramah, which is close to Gallup and teach in the Gallup-McKinley system at Ramah Middle and High School. Your comments are accurate, but its still a nice area to live in. The crime rate is low if you are not in certain community or family situations. A lot lower than in Chicago where I used to live