February 2022
Robert Manchester
r1manchester@hotmail.com
Bio Note: An aging native of New Hampshire who has spent many years writing poetry, gardening and practicing curmudgeonly behavior to newcomers. Published here and there, a member of the John Hay Poetry Society, Connecticut Poetry Society and Poetry Society of NH.

Arizona Letter

Sarah, 
 
Walking along the Manville Trail 
a warm sun, twitter of canyon towhee. 
I see the many varieties of cactus. Thorns. 
I think of you. 
 
So, I stop to write a final letter 
of love though you will never 
see it, and wouldn't accept it 
even if you did. 
 
Without paper, I scribble some kind words 
we once shared, like forever, on the  
National Park trail map and smear my heart 
all over the names and directions. 
 
No, you won't see it since I tore it up 
and let the Sonoran wind blow the pieces 
into the cholla and creosote bushes 
where it probably belongs.
©2022 Robert Manchester
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