PHILIP C. CURTIS

ARIZONA continued from page 1

Arizona today represents a positive and luminous example that man can harness his dreams and aspirations into the reality of a good life for the community of man without diminishing or destroying the natural order.

In a land favored with so many climatic and environmental advantages it is an inevitable reality that Man must be part of the landscape. Throughout our state the examples of mutual benefit and amelioration are evident to anyone who will measure with an unprejudiced mind.

People have come to Arizona seeking a variety of things rewarding to their material, spiritual, emotional or esthetic way of life. Many have come to this near ideal clime seeking better health. The earliest settlers came seeking wealth, and at times were lucky to find food and water, but they found themselves, which is more important.

We cannot formulate any specific definition of Arizona, nor the "good life" which will satisfy all conditions. We hope that the Heaven of which we have such beautiful and wistful thoughts can be the reliving with a full understanding the "good life" we now know in this marvellous and amazing land we know and love Arizona.

ARIZONA INCIDENT

Knowing only loss, unable to comprehend Chiricahua arrow that swiftly nullifies, Star-washed, by the silenced bugle of his lost friend, He waits, listening with vague unease to coyotes' cries.

PETER BLOOMER COUNTRY ROAD

The road meanders through the woods, along a tiny stream We thought we'd follow it, perhaps we'd find that long-lost dream The road led over rocky points and out on shakey bridges, It left the stream and lured us up, all breathless, to hill ridges And then beneath a pasture gate, it gently disappeared; no fond farewell, no grief, no pain, no parting sogged with tears Perhaps that is the way a dream should chart its courses, too; along all kinds of ways and days, then vanish... "sans adieu..."

CANYON ROAD

The road winds sweetly. With each turn and twist An ever-changing vista lies revealed The near hills jade, the far peaks amethyst, The gold confetti of a mustard field Where, deep in bloom, sleek-coated heifers browse, Following the barranca's stony way Where ragged clumps of manzanita boughs Make shadow islands in the brilliant day. Sacred datura lifts beside the path Its pale-veined trumpets. Junipers pitch their tents In 'dobe dust where swallows share a bath, Where last year's tumbleweeds festoon the fence And, clear and joyous as an angel host, Larks are caroling from every post.

TAMED IS THE GYPSY HEART

He heard the call of the beckoning road And longed to cast aside his load, But ground must be ploughed and wheat fields sowed.

He yearned to follow the gypsy sun, To stray where deer and the grey fox run, Still there were tasks he could not shun. He thirsted to drink from mountain springs, To trail the shadow of eagle wings, And pluck a song from the world's heart strings.

He hungered for tossing plumes of spray, For islands where soft trade winds play, But duty mired his feet in clay. The breeze brought spices from Spain to him, The killdees told tales of the sea to him, And love came through the dusk to him!

TO WHERE YOU WAIT

How darkness urges on these cushioned wheels, Winding the highway's mileage on steel spools As roadside neons light their colored reels, Fog's moth-wing flutters softly in and cools Synthetic rainbows. Light-fingers lead me on To where you wait, where night and comfort's curledLike a kitten on a pillow... Driving done, > I enter the warm sweet center of the world!

OUR DECEMBER EDITION

Forgive, forgive! I had not yet read the glorious words nor seen the superb pictures of my favorite of all places, Arizona, when I wrote you in critical anguish over the inadequate cover you are now using to send ARIZONA HIGHWAYS. The outside was lamentably "beat-up," but the beauty between the covers... PRAISE YE THE LORD... was almost too much to gather to ones own self... and so my December ARIZONA HIGHWAYS is going to become dogearred inside by the turning of the pages of many hands to whom I shall pass it along, that they may enjoy as I have enjoyed! A beautiful issue of heartening thoughts and visual perfection! Thank you for this early Christmas present! With all good wishes for a blessed Christmas, and the best of years to come.

Jane Tupper Hillard Westfield, New Jersey I just finished reading the December issue of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS, and I wanted to write and thank you for an issue that is inspiring, beautiful, and glorifying to our God.

It is exciting to find a man in a place of influence such as yours who isn't afraid to express his belief in God. I feel that the commentary in this Christmas issue was very well done, and the pictures compliment the thoughts and ideas in an effective way. Thank you for bringing the true meaning of Christmas back into the place where it belongs. My prayers will be with you as you carry out your responsibilities during the coming year.

Margaret Mack Berkeley, California I have just had the great pleasure of reading and viewing your magnificent issue of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS for this month of December.

I am thanking you for the great warmth you have given me with your masterful correlation and eulogy of all that surrounds us in our daily lives.

You may be pleased to know that on the strength of this one issue I am enclosing the prescribed amount for a one year subscription.

Wm. R. Jenkinson Kalispell, Montana

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. JAMES E. STEVENS, Director of Publications

BACK COVER

Lone tracks cross the grassy plain of McMullen Valley near Wickenburg, Arizona. DAVID MUENCH

INSIDE BACK COVER

The time of long shadows. Sunset on Chino Valley north of Prescott, Arizona. TREVOR STANLEY