Verdigris Ravine we both knew it was true

cicadas droned in the reeds. riverwater’s soft song went dancing across sandstone. tranquility set deep in this old place, where millennia of history was etched in its impossibly tall arches.

another noise broke the silence; the telltale inquisitive yap of qiao’s kind.

qiao paused from studying the array of worn bones at her feet. kind greetings, hidden traveler.

her olive gaze flicked across the shimmering water, bidding s’ari forth.