Dyad: Free-verse

Dyad

By Armando Ortiz

Dyad of butterflies

dancing in the air,

fluttering orange wings, 

in mid flight with gentle flare.

Dyad of butterflies,

under a summer sun,

floating by as in a song,

to a place unknown. 

Dyad of butterflies,

midday sun is bright,

the light making bare, 

watch how they take flight.

Dyad of butterflies,

coming and going,

with time to spare,

dancing along in midair.

Dyad of butterflies,

rising and falling,

pausing and swimming, 

blown along the air.

Dyad of butterflies,

open and close,

castaways sailing,

on shimmering waves.

Bryce Canyon National Park: A Hike into the Layers of Time and Mind

Bryce Canyon National Park: A Hike into the Layers of Time and Mind

By Armando Ortiz

Bryce Canyon National Park lies on the Colorado Plateau of the Four Corners region of the United States. It is part of a geological area called the Escalante Grand Staircase. This area includes Zion National Park and to the south the Grand Canyon, making it quite remote but also unique in many ways. It's called a staircase because there are different layers of rock and sediment that can be seen from the highest to lowest point, making it a geologist and camper's paradise. In other words, this area’s varying layers of land are exposed and it's like seeing the different layers of a cake that are up to ten thousand feet tall. There are many things one can do in this area like stargaze, camp and hiking of varying difficulties. The highest points of this geological area are found in Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon in other words is at the edge of a plateau that is about nine thousand feet above sea level. This men

Hiking Bryce Canyon is a preternatural experience. You start your hike at the parking area where you can take several short hikes that follow the edge of Bryce Canyon. These trails offer lots of shade and you can admire the various pine trees that coexist. Hiking down into a canyon you feel like walking down into an orange amphitheater. Monsoon rains will highlight the scents of the trees and bushes as you enter this world. You will be greeted by a pine that has grown in between the clay walls. You’ll look up to see branches extended a few feet above you.

If you let your mind wander you begin to see things that weren’t there before. Kachina figures carved on the mountains seem to stand erect. Mud heads watching along the trail, waiting for you to get distracted. Bear scratches on the giant walls seemed to have been marked by an ancient species. Grottoes of unknown weathered buddhas seem to have been there for hundreds of years, weathered and sunbathed, still standing. Yet, one has to be reminded that we are walking on sacred land.

You start wondering if milarepa was mingling with Paiute shamans. These geological wonders were once places to rest. Its shade provides respite from the sun. Then suddenly a chipmunk races across and to the top causing these delicate walls to crumble. You notice mangled pine roots grabbing on to cliff sides. Their dark and gnarled limbs contrasting the red earth. You suddenly might find yourself in a shaded niche of sorts. A quiet location where the grinding of seeds and medicine took place. Maybe during vision quests the stars were studied from that spot. The spires seem to watch your every move. The sun, whether it be a cloudy day, is strong.

One feels like walking in a labyrinth of tangerine and white pinnacles. Pine tree branches bent, 4 shaped limbs marking the way. You pass through the ruins of a desert palace made of adobe orange and red clay. You begin to wonder if the story of hoodoos is real or not. We stop in between an entrance and rest our bodies from the sun in the cool shade. Take a sip of water, because there isn't any anywhere. The sun bears down on your body making your skin sticky and wet. If it wasn’t for the trail signs we’d be like rodents finding the exit.

Your mind begins to wonder if these earth formations are the ruins of the Anasazi. Entry ways lead you to other openings. Pathways that were once hallways are dead ends. These labyrinths make you dizzy. Maybe the ancients that committed sins are dwelling here and intend to get us lost. There is a pause in the hike, and we look up, the sky is a deep blue, and puffy white clouds indicate flash floods in the distance.

Faces carved by nature and time appear from out of nowhere. Suddenly one of the pillars seems to be wearing a white fedora. Rhinoceros horns make tops of the white fins that outline the ridges within the canyon. The image of the Virgin Mary appears eroded on the cliffs. Maybe it is time to pray to the gods. Your legs get shaky, but it's the heat and the dizzying hike. You follow the people ahead of you hoping they know the way. You wonder if cloud tears had created this site, millennia of thunderstorms passing through, feeding every nook and cranny with water.

Following the path down leads you to the smallest theater in the world, and from there you might discover a weathered diorama to one’s imagination. Maybe if you are lucky you might hear the old song dedicated to the sun. Focus on following the signs and keep track of the distance. When in doubt stand about under the shade, someone is bound to pass by. Again, water is essential on this trail, so take sips as you go. As you begin to reemerge from this mysterious place, turn around, and admire the vastness of the place. Once people called this place home, and found their way out just like we did. You return to the rim of the canyon, and you begin to see more greenery. Walk to your car and look back down at the canyon, you were just down there. 

Zion National Park- Overstimulation: Resting in the Virgin River

Overstimulation: Resting in the Virgin River

By Armando Ortiz

In the heart of Zion National Park, amidst the towering canyons and desert landscapes, I found myself wading in the quiet waters of the Virgin River. As we submerged our bodies in the cool river, I began to reflect on life. It's so easy to get caught up multitasking and doing multiple things at once and how nature offers a welcome respite from the constant electronic overstimulation.

As I rested my body in the waters, I became captivated by the magical beauty surrounding me. I noticed different dragonflies hovering along the river’s edge, some iridescent shimmering in the sunlight, ruby red, blue topaz or pastel yellow. tiny fish began to nibble at my fingers. At that moment I realized that mountains weren’t simply triangular peaks but are also narrow canyons and flat mesas. Floating in the water I realized sandstone can be made up of a spectrum of oranges, with hot pinks and crimson reds bended like a layered velvet cake with hints of tangerine.

In the midst of this sacred place, I was reminded that rivers weren't always freezing cold. In the desert heat of Zion National Park, where temperatures soared to 115 degrees fahrenheit, the river’s 75 degree waters became a cooling sanctuary. Luckily I was not alone to enjoy these waters. Yeny was there with me. Other visitors were enjoying splashing into the waters. 

Being overstimulated by nature brings with it a serene experience, and as I moved my arms and legs in the water I wondered about the lives of those that once called this land home. Even more profound were the cottonwood trees lining the river, and watching its branches sway with the wind and its leaves switch from muted green to yellow green like tiny hands waving at everyone there. The cottonwood trees seemed to whisper secrets of the past, leaving me wondering about the lives of those who once called this place home and how they adapted to the environment. What materials did they use to build their homes? Where did they seek shelter and shade? Among the aspen or juniper trees? How did they navigate the intricate maze of the canyons? Could the alpine plateaus have been locations for the hunt? What vision quests did they embark upon? 

This is what you experience as you rest in the shallow waters of the Virgin River. It brought forth a flood of questions, eclipsing any answers offered by a search bar. It was both physical and intellectual stimulation that the river evoked, finding moments of peace as I moved my arms and legs through the water.

Resting in the Virgin River was more than just a physical experience. It was an experience of reflection and wonder. It opened my eyes to the magical beauty of nature and its ability to transport us through time and space. We left the river with a greater appreciation for the delicate balance of life and an insatiable curiosity about the past and the untold stories they held.

If you ever find yourself longing for a special connection with nature, and are open to consider history’s mysteries, I encourage you to dip your body in the Virgin River. Embrace the colors, the extreme elements, and listen to the whispers of the past, and let nature become the screen that over-stimulates your senses with its boundless wonders.

Zion National Park: Driving along the Canyons

Zion National Park: Driving along the Canyons

By Armando Ortiz

The word Zion is imbued with a sense of sacredness, like a land set aside for divine reasons and Zion National Park lives up to its divine name. Visiting a national park one can expect to be in awe of nature's beauty and a visit to this park goes beyond that expectation. Driving through the canyons of Zion National Park became an unforgettable experience. Entering the park and driving through the canyon took me through an array of memories. At one point I saw things from films I saw in my childhood, and at other times I was reminded of the ancient artifacts that I’ve seen in museums. At other times it seemed that the canyons contained all the images I'd come across up to that point in my life. I’ll briefly attempt to describe my experience.

As you drive the mind begins to work magic and things that probably aren’t there begin to emerge. No matter the time of day, the wonder of this park will have a visual impact. Driving along the edges of the park’s canyon, the majesty and greenery that contrasts with the reds and oranges begin to change. It's as if the sun's movement creates a prism of rich oranges. One begins to wonder if the mind is playing tricks on what we see. After a while, the walls turn into giant sphinxes, towers that inspired the great wall. As if Waldo all of a sudden began appearing in places you thought couldn’t. Except what we are looking at isn’t a book.

As you curve around the edge you see glimpses of petrified orange cream popsicles. This canyon is a geologic wonder veiled in mystery and every eye has its own interpretation. Everyone captures a unique angle of light and reflection Other points look like former Apache lookout posts weathered by the sun. One begins to wonder what the ancient people saw within these walls. Maybe what we see at a distance are abandoned Pioneer forts and homesteads of sandstone slabs. Possibly these canyons were carved out by extraterrestrials and these slabs are a sarcophagus of extinct giants. Coming down on a full moon and carving their wonder. These walls also tap into your own memories. You see a Darth Vader memorial frieze forever imprinted on a canyon relief. The drive becomes a meditating experience where you focus on the road, but let the mind's eye discover these mirages. Along or with others the drive becomes a unique individual experience.

As you continue winding up the canyon there is a bridge being carved away by time’s weathering seasons- completion dates unknown. The sun creates a shadow at the bottom of the canyon. I stopped the car and we got off. Cottonwood shrubs were protecting a creek. Ground squirrels scurrying for cover get your attention. Along the cliffs, at a distance you notice eroded Babylonian griffins, specks to the thunderbird faces one sees stamped on tops of layer mesas. One is reminded of all those museum visits one has taken. It's as if one undergoes a review of all that one has seen.

You pull aside, park your car to take a break, and step out to walk a bit and you see the images of wild horses galloping across plateaus carved on the cliff sides. You might identify other images and discover other carvings. Our mind becomes the hands that discover these mirages. The heat at times becomes overwhelming and you take a drink of water. Water intake becomes important. Nearby, in between the clay layered slots, remnants of spaceships that crashed on the sides of the towers can be glimpsed. These canyons are home to a multitude of animals we probably won't see under the midday sun. Deer emerge later in the day along with smaller mammals. Dragonflies cross your path reminding you that at the bottom of the canyon runs water.

Zion National Park is a place imbued with sacredness. It's a special place that will leave you wondering how something so beautiful could be nature's work. The park’s ease of access allows you to explore its canyons and drive through the park and stop along the way. The vistas here are magical and at times make you have a deep sense of spiritual connection to the land. It's a visit that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Wandering Wonder: Free-verse Piece

Wandering Wonder

By Armando Ortiz

Wandering soul of wonder, 

under the noon sun splendor.

Meandering through the summer, 

inside a jacaranda temple.

A gentle river in late september, 

cooling our feet from a day’s labor.

I close my eyes to open them again, 

and feel the season’s tenor.

The next moment seems frozen, 

her touch is forever tender.

An easterly breeze sweeps, 

making trees sway gentle. 

Crater Lake National Park: Road Trips from Los Angeles

Crater Lake National Park: Road Trips from Los Angeles

By Armando Ortiz

Crater Lake National Park: Nature’s Geologic Wonder Awaits

Situated in South Central Oregon among pine forests that stretch far and wide lies a breathtaking wonder: Crater Lake National Park. Once a giant volcano that surpassed all others in the American Northwest, this park now offers waterfalls, lakes, rivers and creeks surrounding this ancient caldera. If you’re in search of a National Park adventure that unveils geologic wonders and mysterious lakes, this post is made for you. Let’s delve into what you will and might see and discover if you embark on a trip to this captivating destination.

The Road Trip: Unveiling Nature’s Magic

Driving to Crater Lake is easier than it looks, and the drive promises something magical as you drive through diverse landscapes. Road trips have a certain magic to them that cannot be replicated with air travel. Starting the seven hundred mile road trip from Los Angeles, you take the i-5 freeway north. Soon you’ll be driving through the San Joaquin Valley that’s peppered with agricultural towns and golden rolling hills. As you approach Sacramento there might be some traffic, but soon you continue your drive along what seems to be an endless valley. 

Progressing further north, the landscape begins to change and you see oak trees along the edge of the highway, as you continue on it becomes a mix of oaks and pines. At Redding, pines begin to paint the land a deep green, and this will be a good place to stock up on groceries and gas.

At a distance you’ll begin to see the majestic snow capped Mount Shasta, California’s own version of Mt. Fuji. Once you drive past Weed, CA you will take the 97 which will take you northeast. As you keep driving you’ll see views of Mt Shasta and appreciate its grandeur. Driving through the tiny town of Dorris, CA you’ll cross into the Klamath Lakes of Oregon, and be ever so nearer to Crater Lake.

Admire the lake, and consider that thousands of years ago the lake was more than ten times the size than it is today. More recently the lake was mostly drained to have agriculture be a more viable enterprise for the Americans that settled there in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The town of Klamath Falls will be a good place to fill up on gas and get some snacks or buy some ice for your cooler. You continue north and keep driving along what seems like the edge of an endless waters edge until you begin a long stretch of pine forest and reach Highway 138.  

Campgrounds and Water Wonders: Nature’s Bounty

As you approach Crater Lake National Park many campgrounds await, though you must make sure to have made your reservation months ahead of time. To the north and along the edge of Diamond Lake are three campgrounds: Broken Arrow, Thielsen View and Diamond Lake. To the west and southwest,  along highway 62 you’ll find campgrounds along the creeks that feed into the Rogue River: Mill Creek, River Bridge, Natural Bridge, Abbott Creek and Union Creek Campgrounds. The park itself has two campgrounds. The true magic of this entire area lies in its creeks, rivers, lakes and waterfalls, but be prepared for mosquitos and bugs by bringing bug spray. 

We camped at Diamond Lake campground and had lakeside views. Along this campground, various activities are available for you. Rent paddle boats, fishing boats, or kayaks to explore the lake. An easy and mostly flat bicycle road follows the lake’s edge, making it a tranquil ride within the forest. The campground store offers freshly made pizza, decadent ice cream and handcrafted sandwiches.

The Crater: Awe-Inspiring Views Await

Once at Crater Lake prepare to be spellbound by the wonders of its rim. Every side of its rim has awesome panorama views of Mt Shasta and the Klamath Mountains that add to the magic of the place. Along the road are waterfalls that are very cold for you to cool off and dip your feet in, but be sure to wear sunscreen because the sun is intense. 

Taking a short hike to the crater’s rim rewards you with breathtaking views of Wizard Island set against the deep blue waters. Hiking down to the water's edge gives you a chance of diving into the cold waters and is highly recommended. Once you come out of the water you will feel refreshed. If you decide to take a dive make sure to open your eyes to see the mesmerizing blue glow that envelops you.

Exploration and Wonder: An Adventure Worthwhile

You can spend more than one day hiking and backpacking around the crater that range from easy to strenuous. When we were there the southeastern section of the lake was closed for road repairs, so try to get as much information on road conditions as you enter the park. The visitor center has a cafeteria offering fast food options like sandwiches, hotdogs, and chicken tenders. We bought some chicken tenders, along with some cold drinks and had lunch under the shade of some majestic pine trees.

Meeting a park ranger you’ll learn more about the park’s history. Crater Lake was once a 12,000 foot tall volcano named Mount Mazama by scientists today. Its eruption cut away a mile’s worth of height from its top which made it the caldera we call Crater Lake. From a distance, snow-covered volcanoes like Mt. Shasta stand in silent majesty on the California side.

Conclusion: Embrace the Magical Mystery

Crater Lake National Park is a place that has an amazing geologic history with an environment that is perfect to enjoy in the Summers. The drives through the surrounding forest and edge of the caldera make a visit here worthwhile. Whether you bring your family, gather your friends, or set off on a solo escape, Crater Lake’s magic awaits- an adventure well worth embracing.

Fields of Flowers

Fields of Flowers

By Armando Ortiz

Amids fields of white flowers, 

A spectacle of nature unfolds.

They become floating clouds of wonder,

Adorning the landscape they unfold.

As you walk along the path, 

Butterflies gracefully flutter by.

Their delicate wings, a colorful contrast, 

Catch the sunlights, reaching the sky.

The wind dances with playful glee, 

Taking the butterflies out yonder.

Their journey, a whimsical spree, 

As they explore and wander.

In this picturesque scene so serene, 

Nature’s beauty dances with delight.

Fields of white, a dreamlike sheen, 

Creating a magical sight.

The floating clouds of petals sway, 

Carried by the gentle breeze. 

A symphony of colors in display, 

Nature’s masterpiece to appease.

So, wander along the path of dreams, 

Where white flowers and butterflies unite.

Let the wonders of nature’s themes, 

Fill your heart with sheer delight.

Campos de Flores Blancas

Por Armando Ortiz

En los campos de flores blancas, 

Nace un espectaculo divino.

Se vuelven nubes flotantes de maravilla,

Vistiendo el paisaje como un destino.

Al caminar por el sendero,

Mariposas revolotean con esplendor. 

Sus alas delicadas, un contraste certero, 

Atrapan la luz del sol, alcanzando el cielo en su fulgor.

El viento danza con alegria jugetona, 

Llevando a las mariposas hacia lo lejano.

Su viaje, una travesia caprichosa, 

Mientras exploran y deambulan sin engano.

En esta escena pintoresca y serena, 

La belleza de la naturaleza danza con deleite.

Campos de blanco resplandecen sin pena, 

Creando un espectaculo magico que excita.

Las nubes flotantes de petalos se mecen, 

Acariciadas por la brisa suave.

Una sinfonia de colores aparece,

Obra maestra de la naturaleza, un suave enclave.

Asi que vaga por el sendero de ensueno,

Donde flores blancas y mariposas se unen.

Deja que las maravillas de los temas de la naturaleza,

Llenen to corazon de pura alegria, 

donde el amor se inmotraliza en cada lienzo y  cada verso.

The Art of Gustave Moreau: Hieroglyphic Myths, Modern Symbolism, and Roberto Bolano's 2666

The Art of Gustave Moreau: Hieroglyphic Myths, Modern Symbolism, and Roberto Bolano's 2666

By Armando Ortiz

I was first introduced to the art of Gustav Moreau’s while reading Roberto Bolano’s novel 2666, but really knowing who he was and his art came later. While reading James Joyce’s Ulysses, I learned more about Gustave Moreau. This is when I discovered that the art cover on Bolano’s 2666 was taken from Moreau’s piece titled, Jupiter and Semele. The cover art and the novel it protected fit well with the apocalyptic story that was told inside. 

The symbolism and message projected in that painting was religious, cryptic, political and imbued with so much epic mythology that to come to a full understanding of them is quite a challenge. Nonetheless, even in darkness there is a flicker of light that shines a light that reveals a hidden path. The abstractness of a painting or song is what eventually makes us take a second look, which then opens up to the door a greater understanding of its meaning. This has been the experience I had while learning about Moreau and his art.

My quasi rediscovery came about as I was engrossed in the midst of Ulysses and hit upon a conversation on art and literature that one of the main characters was having, where he described different artists and ideas the concepts they present in their works. In this case the “paintings of Gustav Moreau are the painting of ideas.” (James Joyce, Ulysses p.185)

This reintroduction to his work prompted me to read more about the artist, and become more familiar with his works of art. I learned that Moreau’s art is very apocalyptic and many of his paintings are in watercolor, a medium that was not used much those days. His paintings look apocalyptic with his use of bible imagery and what seems to be related to death and the spirit world. At times you might see angels carrying a dead body. At other times some paintings have a woman carrying the head of a man on a platter. In another instance a head appears to a woman. 

Watercolor paintings are as challenging as using oils. When using oils, you mix white into different colors to replicate light, but with watercolor one builds colors on top of the blank white paper. Once that lightness or white is gone. it is hard to recapture -it can be a compelling process. The hues and combinations of colors are key to his art. In some areas he seems to have saturated the paper with multiple layers of color to the point that backgrounds turned purple or brown. They are contrasted by peach colors or faint lines and deep blue colors that make up his skies. His technique makes you think of light, and how when we look out towards the horizon it is difficult to assimilate into a painting. Though one may try, light and refraction plays a big part in the way we see light and color, and yet Gustave succeeds in this with his paintings.

In his book Gustav Moreau, Jean Selz explains that in Moreau’s attempt to explain his paintings he imbued them with greater meaning. By explaining his works with greater detail than could be seen. (Jean Selz, Gustave Moreau p.36) I was engrossed in learning more about his work and when I visited France I made sure to visit his museum. In 2016 I visited Paris, France and visited the Gustave Moreau Museum. Moreau’s most famous paintings are found in this museum, his former studio. His whole studio seems to have been an attempt at explaining the process of making art. When you walk up the wooden stairs of the building and enter it as if the whole space is a library to the process of his artwork. 

Entering the three story studio is like entering his mind as an artist that from the outside does not seem to be significant. Once inside you see the art he created and the artifacts that helped him create his new paintings. Leaving behind sketch books, incomplete paintings, framed sketches, a library of reference books from all over the world. Everything inside is like a representation of what he considered art. He examined mythologies from Europe, but also of other countries. As you continue to look at his reference books you discover that he studied Buddhist art and the jewelry that decorated the personas were inspired by them. Inside glass cases you find marble hands and feet that most likely served as reference to his works.

A recurring theme of his are the chimera found in many of his paintings. Chimera can mean illusion, dreams or the seeking of things that might not be there. When you visit his museum you see before your eyes the different manifestations of illusions and dreams. In some aspects of understanding one can say that life is a dream, but also that dreams are what make us humans. After carefully looking at one of his most famous paintings I began to wonder if it was a representation of an ancient Maya stela imbued with all its ornaments and jewelry and its symbols undecipherable. 

As you continue to explore, some of the framed paintings seem to be sketches and appear incomplete. Taking a step back I think of all the ancient art that exists today. All that is left is the stone artifact, its color faded and no longer visible, yet it still is a piece of workmanship and it is art. The illusion or dream that Moreau was trying to encapsulate can only be appreciated by visiting the museum. It is there where you get a hint of what he was attempting to do- to encapsulate humanity into symbols that were cross-cultural, the symbol of life and people's thoughts, dreams, goals and illusions.

One need not worry about reading his notes on his paintings. Even if it revealed his worries and thoughts about what he wanted to encapsulate on canvas. What he managed to paint is something that is very much along the lines as one of those songs that one likes to listen to over and over. There is a connection in this case with his creation and the outside which still happens even today. Some might ask, well, what is so special about that, and I say that the same concerns that people back in his day had still exist today. Though the symbols used today are slightly different, there is that concern of whether this life is a dream or not. Moreau created works of art, but also explained what the intended message of his works were. Furthermore, his whole studio was an affirmation that art is a process, it was left as proof of how we must be open to ideas, and that process is influenced by everything around us. 

We are the creators of our destiny and we choose how to define the forces around us, and we can recreate the meanings of these forces as a means to create art. The artist, at times is a prophet and at other times a jester too. In order to appreciate the scope of Gustave Moreau’s art one must experience his art, read about his art, and pay a visit to the place that houses his art. Returning to my initial introduction of his work through Roberto Bolano’s 2666. The characters in that book are also living in a world where cultural traditions play a role in the storylines, but these traditions are also challenged. His characters ultimately make independent choices and attempt to recreate their world in a world that is both filled with traditions, myths, sacred, irreverence, lies and mundane symbolism. Maybe, by him talking about Moreau is his novel and having the art cover be his makes Bolano’s novel more compelling and a testament to the power of art.