| Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22. | | | | The Painted Desert | | By Emma Hawkridge |
| | | DELICATE land, | |
| Fabulous land, | |
| Clear as a bird-song afloat in the morning, | |
| Keener than glacial air; | |
| Exquisite gift of the slow-building sea, | 5 |
| Held like an altar up to the sky, | |
| Circled with light, cliff-columns high | |
| Rising aerially. | |
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| Dare men approach your enchantments of sand, | |
| Land where the rainbow lies bare?— | 10 |
| Enter your sun-guarded gateways of space, | |
| Mortals, like snails with a cheapening trail, | |
| Fearful of mystery, wearily pale, | |
| Out of today’s commonplace? | |
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| Over the wasteland a strong wind goes; | 15 |
| Like captured heat lies the cactus rose. | |
| The desert sings: | |
| Sand-precious flowers and quick lizards lie | |
| In a world like the brazen bowl of the sky— | |
| Sun-captured things. | 20 |
| Color and distance come weaving their dances, | |
| Mystery-full the great silence advances; | |
| Then, at your hand, | |
| Marvelling, mortals unfold strange wings. | |
| Delicate, fabulous land! | 25 | | | |
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