A swift streak of color,
A silhouette in jade,
Ultra marine!
A flash of silver underneath
On all will be seen.
~Margaret Wheeler Ross (1867–1953), “Spring Styles on the Desert: The Lizard”

Gambel’s quail

Saucy black plumes on copper berets

Stroll through the desert heat

Gambling on which route is safest

And betting on a jackpot of seeds.