I Miss The Rabbits Poem by Juan Olivarez

I miss the rabbits of Twenty Nine Palms,
Without reservations, without any qualms.
I'd open the door, and walk outside,
And there were the cottontails, not willing to hide.

As I walked steadily, through the desert sands,
They hopped merrily all around.
Munching on the meager bounty of the land,
Scurrying all about the sandy ground.

Deeper in the desert, the jackrabbits ruled,
Greased lightning on four paws.
With deceptive speed that many fooled,
And dropped my jaw in awe.

Speeding through the arid waste lands,
Through cactus, shrubs, and brush.
Astounding leaps, through the desert sands,
Forever moving in a perpetual rush.

And all along the desert trail,
Life was all around.
As I walked I scared the Gambel quail,
That would fly off with a thundering sound.

At night the coyotes sang so sweet,
Off in the desert hills.
That was the only place, I felt complete,
In that fair land, with no fancy frills.

2/27/11 Alton Texas