YOURS SINCERELY

POEMS BY SHEILA STEWART DARST

FALLING FOOTSTEPS There is little noise in the world today, only the clatter of leaf against leaf and the silent footsteps falling away from me again . . .

NIGHT SONG the stars were starched taffeta peeking from under yards of heavy blue black brocade while night's canopy shared endless lovers' secrets in a cabaret of sensuous song

FALL FLIGHT (tanka)

another year gone the geese are flying southward another year gone but under each wing is tucked a twig of spring's homecoming

LEAPFROG FANTASY

the clouds interlock, huge colorless vines, crawling up the backyard sky racing over time banks and leaping hilling spilling to bloom on tomorrow's fence

ENDURANCE

the birch trees like intense old men with no place to go stand proud and alone in their starched white coveralls remembering past springs past snows

PORTRAIT OF A BEAUTIFUL LADY

I am not at home with perfection. I am not cut to that pattern. And so, along with my admiration and love for RC and JS, I have been uneasy. Until I read in the October issue that you try to publish something for everybody, "and some people are always looking for mistakes." I don't like too much to criticize, but when I stumble over a mistake I pick myself up off'n my face and look it in the teeth. Thus, when I found a misspelled word on Page 32 of the October issue I was slightly gleeful to see perfection marred, and relieved that I have company in my less than perfect state. What a magnificent job you did in the September and October issues!!

Yours Sincerely OUR FAVORITE POEM

The Australian mounted infantryman now teaches in a western state college. Once he studied at the University of Heidelberg and took a doctor's degree. Once he slept on newspapers, pink sheets, three weeks in Grant Park, Chicago Keeping a tight hold on his certificate awarded by the University of Heidelberg. Once he lived six weeks in a tent looking in the face the Great Sphinx of Egypt. Once of a morning shaving he happened to ask the battered and worndown Sphinx, "What would you say if I should ask you to tell me something worth telling?"

And the Sphinx broke its long silence: "Don't expect too much."

FROM NEW PHILADELPHIA

After reading through the September issue of Arizona Highways several times and especially the parts regarding DeGrazia and your efforts in presenting him some time back, I feel that I must again write you as I did some years ago, but this time not only praising DeGrazia but to praise you. I became a full fledged DeGrazia fan when you used many of his paintings in that CHRISTMAS issue. It was then I wrote you using words that seemed original to me but in reading more about our friend I find that many have used the same descriptive phrases and even better. We can use the gament of "sensitivity" "charm" "whimsical" "delicacy" "humor" "rhythm" and so on with many more such expressive terms and then we haven't praised DeGrazia enough for he is still more than that. It must be a great satisfaction for you to see DeGrazia receive the recognition he is receiving. More praises to you for your part in bringing him to a world audience.

ABOUT "HUICHOLITO" PRINTS

Each issue of "Arizona Highways" is awaited with the pleasure of knowing something special is due to arrive. Your October issue on Mexico rivals them all. Thank you for a wealth of good things. When I open your magazine and see a DeGrazia reproduction I am satisfied. Each new one I see becomes another favorite. Truly "Huicholito" is going to be a hard one to displace from the top of the list. Are prints of this lovely inspiration for sale?

The entire proceeds from the sale of artist De Grazia's "Huicholito" will benefit the cause for research in mental health. Donations and inquiries should be addressed to San Diego County Mental Health Society, 3935 First Avenue, San Diego, California 92103. The limited edition price of $5.00 includes postage and packaging.

FROM BROOKLYN WITH LOVE

But I am a 13 year old boy whose heart is out in Arizona. About 10 months ago, I was in the American Museum of Natural History in N.Y., and in the souvenir department, I saw Arizona Highways. I could not get it then, but the instant I was home, I called them up, ordered 2 copies, and followed the order with a money order. When I received them, I was so amazed, astonished, and overwhelmed by the beauty of both Arizona & your magazine, that I proceeded to send in my subscription for your magazine. I realize you get hundreds of letters telling how beautiful your magazine is, but I am literally green with envy that I can't live in Arizona. I have only subscribed to Arizona Highways for about 7 months, but I will never cancel my subscription. Every issue is fresh air, open sky, and unspoiled land. I unfortunately cannot say the same for New York City. My parents would love to move to Arizona, and if we don't move there before I'm in college, I will as soon as I'm out of college.

I also have your 1972 calendar, the special "4 seasons" issue and I cherish them all. We, America, do not have too many unspoiled places left, but I hope Arizona will never, ever know rotten air, millions of buildings, traffic jams, crowds and no beauty, so as that New Yorkers' know. Keep up the good work your magazine should win award after award after award, and one day I will be an Arizona resident. All my friends and teachers in school know I am an Arizona fan I used to draw maps of Arizona in my looseleaf and Arizona power all over my books. I have a tremendous cactus garden and my return address labels have the Saguaro cactus - to remind me of Arizona. I have written to the U of Arizona and the Arizona State University and have an A.S.U. sweatshirt. Please continue to bring fresh air & beauty to a person with lungs in distress!

OPPOSITE PAGE

Aspens and San Francisco Peaks BY TREVOR STANLEY

BACK COVER

Northland Shadows at Sundown BY TREVOR STANLEY