Whew!  I feel like I’m in a whirlwind before the pub date.  Just added the awesome Tenner Bree Despain’s novel The Dark Divine to my prize packet for this week. And check out next week’s here. You have until Sunday at midnight to enter, so go collect your flowers. My blog tour is international, so I’ll be in Liyanaland shortly.

And on the poetic front, today we have Nicole transporting us to warmer climates. Here are Tenner poet Blythe Woolston’s thoughts on Nicole’s poem:

“Nicole’s landscape love poem tells a very evocative story–
partly because she admits real, sharp edged images and language into
the poem. “Sears,” “goathead cactus,” “cracked barren ground” are
words that make me trust the poet and her love for a very real place.”

Way to go, Nicole!

Painted skies, Painted flowers

As I walk, barefoot, on my native land, in Santa Fe,

the sunset glows with orange embers and red hues

My face soaks up the hot, dry air

Passion for the southwest sears my heart

The desert summons my soul to a sanctuary of blossoms

I step carefully, avoiding the goathead cactus

My swift, experienced feet guide me

A patch of Indian paintbrush flowers graze my legs

I collapse onto the forgiving red plants

They provide a refuge from the cracked barren ground

As I lay on my back, a lullaby of crickets bring me to sleep.