Tag: Landscape

Discover Landscape by slam poets, cowboy poets, and literary giants inspired by the state of Arizona on AZpoetry.com!

December in the morning Alberto Rios artwork | AZpoetry.com

December Morning In The Desert by Alberto Rios

The morning is clouded and the birds are hunched,
More cold than hungry, more numb than loud,

This crisp, Arizona shore, where desert meets
The coming edge of the winter world.

It is a cold news in stark announcement,
The myriad stars making bright the black,

As if the sky itself had been snowed upon.
But the stars—all those stars,

Where does the sure noise of their hard work go?
These plugs sparking the motor of an otherwise quiet sky,

Their flickering work everywhere in a white vastness:
We should hear the stars as a great roar

Gathered from the moving of their billion parts, this great
Hot rod skid of the Milky Way across the asphalt night,

The assembled, moving glints and far-floating embers
Risen from the hearth-fires of so many other worlds.

Where does the noise of it all go
If not into the ears, then hearts of the birds all around us,

Their hearts beating so fast and their equally fast
Wings and high songs,

And the bees, too, with their lumbering hum,
And the wasps and moths, the bats, the dragonflies—

None of them sure if any of this is going to work,
This universe—we humans oblivious,

Drinking coffee, not quite awake, calm and moving
Into the slippers of our Monday mornings,

Shivering because, we think,
It’s a little cold out there.

About the poet Alberto Rios

In this evocative poem, Alberto Ríos captures the serene intersection of humanity and nature on a cold Arizona morning. The imagery of a crisp desert landscape juxtaposed with the celestial movements of stars and the industrious hum of birds and insects serves as a meditation on the quiet persistence of life. Ríos subtly reflects on the human tendency to overlook the vast, intricate workings of the universe as we carry on with mundane routines.

To learn more about Alberto Ríos, Arizona’s first Poet Laureate and a master of blending everyday moments with universal reflections, visit his bio page here and delve into the life and work of this celebrated poet.

Zane Grey Cowboy Poet Writer | AZpoetry.com

Zane Grey

Zane Grey: A Western Novelist’s Legacy in Arizona and Poetry

Zane Grey, one of the most celebrated Western novelists of the 20th century, left an indelible mark not only on American literature but also on the culture of Arizona and the genre of cowboy poetry. Best known for his gripping tales of the untamed West, such as Riders of the Purple Sage (1912), Grey captured the rugged beauty, moral complexities, and frontier spirit of the American Southwest. While primarily recognized as a novelist, Grey’s creative endeavors extended to poetry, as exemplified by his evocative poem Recipe for Greatness. His connection to Arizona, along with his contributions to Western literature, continues to inspire writers and poets in the state and beyond.


Early Life and Journey to the West

Born Pearl Zane Grey in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1872, Grey initially pursued a career as a dentist, following in the footsteps of his father. However, his passion for storytelling and adventure eventually steered him toward writing. In 1907, he published his first novel, Betty Zane, inspired by the life of a family ancestor. Though moderately successful, it wasn’t until the publication of Riders of the Purple Sage that Grey cemented his place in literary history.

Grey’s deep fascination with the American West was sparked by his travels to Arizona and other frontier regions. His vivid descriptions of Arizona’s canyons, deserts, and mesas became hallmarks of his work, often functioning as characters in their own right. Grey spent a significant amount of time in Arizona, particularly in the northern part of the state, where he found inspiration for many of his novels. His frequent visits to the state allowed him to interact with cowboys, ranchers, and Native American communities, further enriching his understanding of the region’s culture and history.


Zane Grey’s Impact on Arizona Writers and Cowboy Poetry

Grey’s novels were instrumental in popularizing the American West, painting a romantic yet gritty picture of the frontier that resonated with readers worldwide. This legacy had a profound influence on Arizona writers, particularly those in the tradition of cowboy poetry. His ability to distill the ethos of the West—its values of resilience, independence, and justice—served as a model for countless writers and poets who sought to celebrate the region’s unique identity.

Though Grey is often categorized as a novelist, his works occasionally revealed a poetic sensibility. The imagery in his writing often bordered on the lyrical, and his love for the land is palpable in his descriptions of Arizona’s landscapes. This poetic quality bridged the gap between prose and verse, inspiring cowboy poets who sought to capture the spirit of the West through rhyme and rhythm.

Grey’s forays into poetry, while less prominent than his fiction, reflect his ability to express complex ideas with simplicity and elegance. His poem Recipe for Greatness, for instance, embodies the values of perseverance and moral strength that are central to his body of work. While Grey didn’t primarily identify as a poet, pieces like this demonstrate his versatility as a writer and his deep understanding of the human spirit.


Legacy in Arizona

Zane Grey’s relationship with Arizona extended beyond literature. He owned a cabin near Payson, Arizona, where he spent time writing and immersing himself in the state’s rugged landscapes. This cabin served as a retreat and a creative haven, influencing many of his works set in the region. Although the original cabin was destroyed in a wildfire, a replica now stands in Payson, serving as a museum dedicated to Grey’s life and legacy.

Grey’s influence on Arizona’s literary and cultural heritage is profound. His novels helped shape the popular image of the American West, and his appreciation for the state’s natural beauty encouraged readers to view Arizona as a place of adventure and mystique. Cowboy poets and Western writers in Arizona often cite Grey as a foundational figure, someone who brought the spirit of the frontier to life and elevated it to an art form.


Zane Grey’s Continued Relevance

Today, Zane Grey’s works remain a cornerstone of Western literature, and his influence extends beyond novels. His stories have been adapted into over 100 films and television series, further solidifying his legacy. For cowboy poets and Western writers, Grey’s ability to capture the essence of the West—its landscapes, characters, and values—continues to be a source of inspiration.

By publishing Recipe for Greatness alongside his novels, AZPoetry.com celebrates Zane Grey not just as a novelist but also as a poet whose words reflect the timeless ideals of the West. Whether through prose or poetry, Grey’s work reminds us of the enduring power of storytelling and its ability to preserve the history, culture, and spirit of the American frontier.


Conclusion

Zane Grey’s legacy as a Western novelist and occasional poet is inseparable from Arizona’s cultural history. His vivid portrayals of the state’s landscapes and people continue to inspire writers and poets to this day. With his poem Recipe for Greatness, Grey demonstrates that his creative talents extended beyond fiction, offering readers a glimpse into the values and principles that guided his life and work. By remembering Zane Grey through his poetry, we honor not only his contributions to literature but also his enduring connection to Arizona and the American West.

Let Zane Grey’s words remind us of the greatness that can be achieved through perseverance, creativity, and a deep love for the land. Read Recipe for Greatness and experience the poetic side of this Western legend.

Discover More Poets Inspired By Arizona HERE.

Benedicto by Edward Abbey | AZpoetry.com

‘Benedicto’ by Edward Abbey

Benedicto: May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome,
dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.
May your rivers flow without end,
meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells,
past temples and castles and poets’ towers
into a dark primeval forest where tigers belch and monkeys howl,
through miasmal and mysterious swamps and down into a desert of red rock,
blue mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottos of endless stone,
and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm
where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cliffs,
where deer walk across the white sand beaches,
where storms come and go
as lightning clangs upon the high crags,
where something strange and more beautiful
and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams
waits for you —
beyond that next turning of the canyon walls.

About the poet Edward Abbey

Edward Abbey‘s poem Benedicto is an excerpt from his book Earth Apples. Learn more about the Arizona poet that may be best known for his literary contributions to environmentalism and radical ecology-forward musings HERE. Discover other poets from Arizona on our website!

Desert Rain by John Gould Fletcher AZpoetry.com

“Desert Rain” by John Gould Fletcher

Across the burnished mesas
They march in lines of jade,
The thunder-heads assembled
To crush the light parade.

The shadow of their wingspread
Sweeps through the cañon’s door;
Out leaps a sounding fury,
And torrent floods the floor.

About the poet John Gould Fletcher

John Gould Fletcher (1886–1950) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who often drew inspiration from the landscapes of the American Southwest.

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Arizona Poetry The Song of the Sonoran Desert by Sharlot Madbirdth Hall

“The Song of the Sonoran Desert” by Sharlot Madbirdth Hall

Oh, land of the cactus and yucca,
Of towering rock and of sand,
Where silence is king of the daytime,
And the stars rule the night with their band.

Oh, land of the old and the mystic,
Of legends that linger and glow,
In the hearts of the men who have loved thee,
And the spirits that wander below.

About the poet Sharlot Madbirth Hall

Sharlot Madbirdth Hall (1870–1943) was an American historian and poet who wrote extensively about Arizona and its landscapes.

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