Losing Texas #1

by Judith Nielsen

Rolling slowly across the

grey tarmac, sunset—

past glimpses of green pine,

grazing cows, barbed-wire fences

      the ache of leaving  

blazing yellow orb

in blood-streaked sky

      the place ascends

great orange orb

by Judith Nielsen

great orange orb

announces sunset

casts magical shadows

thru smoke clouds

floating across the

beautiful poisonous sky

Following a trail of words, mountains, spirit and tears, this writer, mother, wife, and eventually psychoanalyst left Texas for Colorado in 1985. The land of the Arapahoe welcomed Judith Nielsen and called her by name. The love of poetry, poet, and high mountain valleys has warmed her heart and made her home. Freud said, “Everywhere I go, the poet has been there before me.” May we keep following those footsteps on our paths through the worlds. This contributor has taught contemplative psychotherapy at Naropa University, practices psychoanalysis, and writes poetry.