What Poets Do For Fun, Ep. 26

Episode 26: Celebrating AZ

Julie explores a canyon next to her favorite in Tucson, then Lisa travels over Mingus Mountain to remember her grandfather.

Mug: Mile High Grill Jerome, AZ

Guest Author: Ellsworth Schnebly of Sedona, AZ.

From a manuscript from 1959 for KVNA radio

Arizona’s climate enticed others who lived through the milder winter months. Oak Creek was not always bridged, and during stormy periods, one did not ford the wild torrent.  Carl Schnebly never tired of Oak Creek Canyon.  He enjoyed watching the changing moods and showing the beauty spots to hundreds of others as long as he lived.  Probably no one was ever a more enthusiastic Chamber of Commerce than Carl Schnebly. He loved and believed in Oak creek Canyon.  This love has been transmitted to his children and grandchildren, some of whom are now living in or near here.  Much the same, it has since become important to thousands upon thousand s of others who have passed through, paused to admire (and in many cases retired) or have returned again to this red-cliffed reminder of God’s handiwork in his gifts to His children.

Ventana*

by Julie Morrison

For Marty Ralph

Inside Ventana Canyon is a picture beyond frame:

saguaros, bent and beckoning, beside the winding track,

bird percussion rising toward a sun they would call back,

creek bed dryly shushes steps water will later claim.

Saguaros, bent and beckoning, beside the winding track

stand in mellow silence, gentle, though never tamed.

Creek bed dryly shushes steps water will later claim.

Boulders fold as knobby knuckles after gravity’s attack.

To stand in mellow silence, gentle, though never tamed,

is to seed despite extremes—change welcome at a whack—

to knuckle down as boulders through the worst attacks—

weathering like patience and practice are the same.

To seed despite extremes, welcome change at every whack,

takes query and resilience in an alchemy unnamed,

weathering like patience and practice are the same,

love for windows on the world regardless of the cracks.

Add query and resilience, in an alchemy unnamed,

to extraordinary effort—like hiking to relax—

love your window on the world, regardless of the cracks,

and make life Ventana Canyon, a picture beyond frame.

*Ventana is the Spanish word for window

Copyright 2025 Julie Morrison, All rights reserved