Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Coronado Heights


Coronado Heights


When we touch the rock,
a little cold shiver begins:
this is the place where Coronado
found that cities of gold are dust,
that the world had led him north beyond
civilization, beyond what was good.

And right down onto this prairie grass
he fell. His helmet tumbled right here.

He smelled the earth and felt the sun
begin to be his friend: he had found
a treasure, the richest city of all.

Wheatfields frame this place today,
a gift: how the riches of Mexico,
the wandering tribes, the golden wind,
all come true for us, bowing
in reverence with Coronado.

William Stafford

Posted over on Kansas Heritage

No comments: