Welcome back to Member Monday. It’s a pleasure to feature a poem by poet, storyteller and children’s author, Linda Boyden. You can purchase a hardback copy of Linda’s newest picture book Boy and Poi Poi Puppy at All About Books.
Author’s Note: Here’s a poem I recently wrote about how i feel when I have to leave Nevada. On the way home I usually pull over at Hwy 395’s “Shoe Tree” and cry a tiny bit. Often there’s no traffic and the scenery is so beautiful.
Shoe Tree by Linda Boyden
Leaving
by Linda Boyden
stark mountains brushed by snow,
supple foothills that glide
down into the broad expanse of land
where ghosts still ride pinto ponies,
their wizened faces huddled against manes
their hooves thunder across dry lake beds,
where voices and whinnies echo on the wind
I inhale the desert songs of beauty and remorse
and bury one small piece of my heart
my sacrifice,
my offering,
my promise to return.
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Writers Forum 
Thank you, Linda, for this heart-warming poem.
I love the Great Basin Desert.
A great poem, Linda! Brings back images of our trips to the Eastern Sierra.
I love your writing. Thank you for your dedication to your craft! Lovely.
Beautiful
Linda, Such beautiful images. I can see those mustang ponies.