By Paul Norris         

The highway undulates like a diamondback, making its way across a sandy wash.

Back and forth, up and down, twisting and turning lazily until its belly slithers over the horizon.

The clouds gather and vie for position as a crowd, pushing and shoving each other out of the way for the view.

But as quickly as they come, they see and lose interest and wander on to the next show.

Some darkening and crying at their disappointment.

The winds blow briskly, prodding the dust to flee before it.

Into every nook and cranny it crawls, hiding, like a jackrabbit from the soaring hawk.

Yet stands the lonely Mesa, unmoved…

This poem originally appeared in the Fall 2013 Issue of The Wall Newspaper

By Derrick Branch

On my travels in life

God has been so generous to me.

All my needs are somehow taken care of

almost miraculously.

At times when I need to eat

I may go hungry for a while,

but before I starve my hunger is satisfied.

And when I’m truly financially stressed,

down on my luck,

a good job is right around the corner.

Bet your bottom buck.

When bullets fly and there’s mayhem in the streets,

I walk safe and secure

in virtual peace.

I’m never lonely.

There is always a friend,

and no matter how many times I fall due to my sins,

I manage somehow to get up again.

And most of the time,

in the end I truly win.

And all of this is due

to the grace that the Lord sends.

This poem originally appeared in the Fall 2013 Issue of The Wall Newspaper

By Pervis Upshur

I’m excited because I have good people around me.

I’m excited because I get to do things in my life that I thought I could never do.

I’m excited cuz I have people to help me with stuff I don’t know how to pronounce. But I’m learning how to pronounce it.

I’m excited because the sun comes all the way out and the sky is bright.

I can go outside my house and eat ice cream and talk to my neighbor.

I’m excited cuz I’m starting to do things by myself without any help.

And I’m excited because I’m helpful to elderly people and they talk to me. They tell me things that I need to hear.

I’m excited cuz I can go out and work and do somethin’ to earn money when I need it.

I’m excited because I’m myself.  I’m excited because nobody can take it away from me.

And I’m excited just to be excited.

I’m excited because I have another chance to keep myself first.

This poem originally appeared in the Fall 2013 Issue of The Wall Newspaper