Prose

Arizona’s Moods

A Nature Lover’s Perspective of its Four Seasons

Spring: The sun progresses in its annual journey, and the days grow longer as the dark gives way. The increasing intensity of the UV ray melts the snow held high in the mountains of the plateau. The water flows down through volcanic surfaces, gathering in the impermeable layers. Gravity pulls the liquid into springs, creeks, and rivers. From 12,000 feet to sea level, it flows, taking its time in some layers, raging on the earth’s surface when it’s in a hurry. The flashing water gouges downcuts into unfathomable history. The numbers are agnostic to our beliefs in them. As is most things the earth does. Our survival or demise is a blip memory in its lifetime.

The wilds awaken from their winter stupor and torpor. The grasses appear from their hiding places, shooting towards the sky, den covers are forced open from the inside, and grumpy noses poke outwards, testing the air for the scents of spring.

Bugs appear from the ethers implanting on windshields to dry immediately. Crickets jump around each other to the beat of a 90’s pop tune as cicadas announce the impending heat of summer.

All get loud and cheer in joy, for they have survived the winter.

Summer: The cactus bloom as their favorite temps arrive. Flowers blush hues of bright…