DESERT PEAKING....or....Where's This Fun We're Seeking - Ed Tracy The faithful at eve have drunk their fill Tomorrow morn it's up the hill. We've gathered, this night, this multitude To savor the joys of desert solitude. Got here on that road from Baker Three miles of black top--then a kidney breaker. A Chevy bottomed up to its trans Real bad news in these desert sands. Norm lost his shocks, Ron burnt a clutch; The driving's generally much too much. We reached the trail and began to hike it, Through cat-clawed washes--no one liked it. The leader got us to a cul-de-sac. We sent him back. Then three carefree tigers without practice Got pretty heavy into cactus-- Jumping cholla and ocotillo There, languished in anguish a punctured trio. Two others totaled their Calvin Kleins Making Class 4 moves on their behinds. The sisters Got blisters. We reached a peak, but to our despair The right one was---way over there. Manana, sure we'll try again We masochists O.D. on pain. If we make it fine, a cause for glee not well, hell, there's more Chablis.     D E S E R T   R E F L E C T I O N S
Oh! The joys of the desert hike, when we stroll with nary a care. We see and touch as much as we like but---watch out for that prickly pear! We cross the flat and climb the hill: a panorama spreads that would hush one; a place to sit to enjoy the thrill but---watch out for that pin cushion!		All day long, steep slopes we tramp daylight wanes and no moonlight shines. Tired feet carry us to a darkened camp with knees and shins pierced by yucca spines. The desert is filled with fangs and spears, and teeth of coyotes may gnaw ya: hut it isn't the rattler which fills me with fears: its those darned jumping cholla!
A rock formation catches the eye; unusual and twisted, it might be lava. A closer look we rush to spy and--slash a leg on a spear of agave!			wlb by Lou Brecheen

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