On a desert wander, clouds fill my head. A scrub jay calls to me in its raucous voice and my attention shifts. I stumble over a rock, plain and gray. The rock beckons me to pull it from the sandy soil. Just a rock, I think. Dark and hardened, like my thoughts. It’s stuck fast in the soil and I pry it loose with a juniper twig.
I cup the rock in my hand and feel its weight. Though it appeared ordinary in the soil, it is not. Other hands have held this rock. They chipped away the darkness to reveal a shining edge. My fingers trace its sharpness; an unforeseen treasure from the past brought to light. My desert wander turns to wonder. As dawn breaks, the clouds lining the horizon disappear.
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Great words and photos.
Thanks! I found it in my yard. 🙂
How amazing to find! I've always hoped to find an arrowhead or other ancient stone tool but never have.
Yes, it was, Becky. 🙂 We've found a few on our property, probably made by Northern Paiute.
Interesting to think about who held the rock and how long ago.
Yes, it is. Judging by how often we see mule deer here, it was probably a good hunting area for the Northern Paiute decades ago.
This is so beautiful *
Thank you, Bonnie Rae. I'm still thinking of your recent post and hope you're doing okay. ❤
So kind. Thank you for thinking of me. It's the little things. He was so much a part of my days. I miss him so much. Every time someone reads about him it deepens the story for all of us.
So much we overlook--I love to pick up rocks that seem dull and put them in water! And to think yours was chipped by human hands long ago....
I'm always looking for special rocks, Marina. I love how some of them look when wet - it brings out their hidden personality.
Thank you for sharing this with our Weekly Prompts Wednesday challenge, Siobhan.
Thanks for offering these challenges, Sue! 🙂
Our pleasure 🙂
Our pleasure.