Through The Chaparral Poem by Juan Olivarez

Lost in the chaparral one day,
I ate some prickly pears.
Made coffee from a mesquite tree,
And forgot about my cares.

Then I killed a diamondback,
And roasted it over my fire.
I put the rattle in my backpack,
And listened to the coyote choir.

Through colima, chapote, and coyotillo too,
I made my way under the sun.
Thankful to God for the breath I drew,
And the new day just begun.

Weary but happy I made my way,
Southward slowly towards my house.
As the sun steadily warmed the day,
Through the chaparral quiet as a mouse.

11/14/10 Alton Texas