Chilly winds in New Mexico carry fine particles and dust, which are common wherever strong winds are present. I will discuss this in more detail in the following paragraph.

In contrast to California, where I often see deer, squirrels, birds, coyotes, insects, and various species, there is little wildlife or plant life to observe here in Albuquerque, likely due to the desert landscape. The grasses have dried out due to the lack of humidity. I carry lip gloss because the wind has been blowing for three days during early morning and evening. The strong winds can be harsh, and exposed skin in sensitive areas can quickly become damaged. The trees are not densely populated; sometimes, you drive miles before seeing one. I rarely see bird nests and flowers. You know what that means: no flowers, no nectar, no bees, and no butterflies. It could simply be that winter is just behaving like winter. One time, I noticed a bird nest on a tree without leaves. I wonder how it feels to live in a house without windows, doors, or warm blankets; it is unbearable, and I cannot imagine it.

I have been walking a lot lately, which has been very rewarding. This week, I started noticing signs of wildlife during my evening walks. This evening, I saw a quadruped dash across the road right in front of me. I couldn’t tell if it was a cat, a hare, or something else with four legs. A few days ago, I also spotted a nocturnal bird, which I believe was a bird of prey hunting. I couldn’t figure out the species because it was dark.

I almost titled this post “Gentle Zephyrs,” but upon further consideration, that seems like a show-off title, and there is absolutely nothing gentle about these winds. I’m heading to bed after posting. Sweet dreams from chilly New Mexico!

Chill Winds

There’s a barrage of sailing grass in the wind
The moon came to see, and the stars gathered,
Evening rendezvous, solely for the eyewitness
Dry brushwood scattered in frenzied spaces
Try to tackle the foot and paws of passersby
The wind sprinkles dust into unsuspecting eyes
Voices get softer—the night sky lit up further
However, this evening was far from being over