Yours Sincerely

BY: Homer B. Bemis,Jeanette Sheen,J. L. "Rick" Wilson,William Beyer,Isabel Dunwoody,Michael N. Bates,Hope Norris

DESERT SUNRISE

The mourning dove awakening, greets the dawn with his sad song of love, And on the vagrant breeze the quail are calling. While in the east a flaming fan arises, Proclaiming another period to man's time.

THE CLOUD MOUSE

See in the pastel petalled sky The cloud mouse perched for prey. Prim in his puffy pearl-wisp pride, He silently sneaks away.

GENTLE MUSINGS

I never worry about the big For there's no song sweeter than the song a cricket sings to fill the night There's no tree taller than the one which grew from a tiny seed And there's no day brighter than the one which began with one red and silver sliver of light So I never worry about the big.

POEM IN SPRING

In green beginning, Spring Moves Across the land With wind-song, Rain, Lingering, Warm sun, A season Bright, Illusive; Lyric prophesy.

STARSTRUCK

My Maverick Star Galaxy non-conformist, Platinum guide. He leads, I follow Starprints on his sands of time. He touches briefly wild verbena, Spirals saguaro's spiny arms, Lassoes tangled, purple sagebrush, Enchanted, I'm this piper's mime. Till border bridge In early, early, gray of day Breaks his astral spell. I go my charted way.

LADY SPRING

Lady Spring Is slowly slipping Frigid fingers From wintry grip. She's chasing Dark days Dark clouds And calling warmth. But more She's breathing Beauty Into everything Everyone.

Yours Sincerely CREDIT IS DUE

To photographer James J. Jones for the beautiful picture titled "Maples and Boulders" on page 47 of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS MAGA ZINE, January 1971.

The error was not intentional and we join our many readers who have inquired in congratu lating Mr. Jones for a superb photograph.

The scene is located in the area of the south fork of Cave Creek in the Chiricahua Mountains.

FROM AN APPRECIATIVE FRIEND

Arrival of the January issue reminded me of my intention to write to commend you for the previous issue. It was one of great beauty, as always, but with the added attraction that you gave the photographic details for virtually all pic tures. You also reported some of the circumstances under which the photos were taken. This was very interesting as well as instructive and I would like to encourage more of that.

Reproduction of the photos in ARIZONA HIGHWAYS is so fine that, perhaps, such detail is regarded as superfluous. But I enjoy it.

FROM THE BIG SNOW COUNTRY

Your January 1971 issue of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS dedicated to "Trees" is magnificent. Congratulations on a superb issue.

Since I teach General Science, this issue on trees will prove most valuable in class. The pic tures of the Bristlecone Pines are breath-taking in their beauty.

The diagram on page 4 will prove especially fascinating for use in class, as will the sketch on the top of page 37.

The middle photo is so beautiful I have it propped up on my desk to bring some warmth and color to this sub-zero day. (Snow is smother ing the country in drifts up to six feet deep.)

FROM A UNIQUE MERCHANT

Please accept my hearty congratulations on the marvelous spirit that you give to ARIZONA HIGHWAYS.

I have enjoyed your magazine for many years, but this Christmas issue is exceedingly fine. I have the good pleasure to receive many different magazines, but none of them can compare with the high tone of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS for which you are, of course, responsible.

The lead article of the December issue is no doubt the best that any publication ever used.While you are saying "thank God for trees," may I add thank God for you and for all percep tive people? Too often we enjoy magazines few if any so beautiful as ARIZONA HIGHWAYS -and forget to thank God for the people who make them possible, or even to say thank you to the hard working people who produce them. I shall not attempt even to list them; but of course the photographers and all of the technical people are included.

OUR LAND IS YOUR LAND

And of course, Arizona has wonderful material to work on! From the day in 1856 when the camels crossed the toll bridge at Indianola until the days my husband and I loved the beautiful Red Rock country and our drives of various years over most of the state, even following the camels that my father-in-law as a tiny boy watched with amazement, we have loved Arizona and found it beautiful and challenging.Keep up the good work and let's get the mes sage to any doubting Thomas that may be con vincing himself that Arizona is only a "state of mind!"