OCR Text |
Show THE ZEPHYR AUGUST 89 PAGE 30 feedback the readers respond Dear Jim Stiles: Dear Zeohvr: Would you consider publishing the enclosed poem, "Nlahtsono ESI Ed Abbey, In The Canvon Country Zeohvr? I admire your paper, and I wish you all good fortune with IL Thanks for your consideration, and best wishes. Sincerely yours, Gregory McNamee Tucson, Arizona NIGHTSONG FOR ED ABBEY The moon was s silver of white when you died, not even full. But crows hovered furiously the air of wet fields, doves kept watch In public places, In eagles beat their wings over redwalled canyons, and sirens limned the city's blackness, torn at the edges by a tractors blade. The planet turns and turns; It dances, the only circle that will never break. Warriors arise to defend this fine earth, subversive birds range through the shadows, and the broken moon will not lull us again, hearing the noisy night, awaiting your ghost. Dear Editor: would Just like to thank the people of Moab for their courtesy, helpfulness, and friendly attitude. My partner and I came to Moab, over Memorial Day Weekend to ride bikes at SUckrock. We drove In from Denver for an escape from the City, and Its Believe me, we found our escape. The four days we spent In Moab, pressures. we did not encounter one unfriendly, hurried, or rude "Moablan. Actually, everyone we met treated us kindly, and with the kind of human wprmth one will only find In a small town. (Quite a contrast to what the couple from Breckenridge, Colorado, Zeohvr. June 89, found.) Thanks again people of Moab. May your pleasant attitude, and genuine warmth be returned to you many times over. I obtained a copy of your May Issue while In the Moab area 3 weeks ago, Introducing my young family to one of my fondest areas In the country. My reaction to the content of your paper was sentimental for several reasons, most notably a shared emotion over the loss of Ed Abbey. I had only met Ed once, after one of his colorful readings at South High In Salt Lake several years ago, but I have been a devout reader of his works for longer. Publisher Jim Stiles remarks snd the feature about 'Arches N.M. were especially appropriate. I was equally Impressed by the feature"Farewell to Ed Abbey by Ken Sanders. Many of us will remember how or when we received news of his death hopefully we'll remember him most for his love of the earth and the canyon country. I had hoped to attend the memorial services as announced In so I'm writing to express appreciation to your your paper but could not entire efforts and staff. It Is a most encouraging sign that you are somehow providing a quality, Informative publication such as this, from an area that has seen as much I have witnessed this gradual change as political upheaval as geological a somewhat frequent visitor for 25 years. I, too, remember the Moab That was then (page 20), the old narrow highway from Crescent JcL, dirt roads In Arches, few visitors, et&, as described by Abbey In Desert Solitaire. I was a Jr. high student from Provo, accompanying my professor father who was conducting water studies on the Colorado above and below what Is now Potash, before the plant was completed. In those days, Moab was a sleepy miners town, Charlie Steen "looked down on the residents from his mansion on the cliffs above town, John Wayne and other 'stars' stayed at the Apache Motel when filming movies and Chevrolet commercials were filmed atop pinnacles In Castle Valley. Moab was mainly Inhabited by uranium prospectors, rock shops and hounds, and river runners In sparse number. Bates Wilson lured park service dignitaries, a II. S. Senator from Utah, my father and some of his colleagues, to what Is now the Needles District and Canyonlands National Park eventually became a reality. Times have changed. So have attitudes about cur environment The landscape and scenery have remained the same except for some oiled roads, flush toilets and developed campgrounds the type of changes that chased Bates and Ed out of their old 'stomping grounds' years ago. They are both gone now. But this beautiful, red 'sDckrock' canyon country they fought to what better way to show our respect for preserve Is now gui stewardship their lifes' efforts than to guarantee future protection and preservation for Your paper Is certainly providing a much needed all future generations. voice 'from within to allow positive dialogue to occur. Best wishes to your entire staff, contributing writers and residents such as Ken Sleight, John Sensenbrenner and others I Sincerely, Joel Murphy, Pleasant Grove, Utah Jeffrey Sund Lakewood, Colorado United Cable Television of Moab Editor's Note: That's Moabite. Jeffrey. the traveling tub owner jeff davis, 2250 murphy In 259-846- 3 dates are filling fast call now! 89 No. Main 259-813- 6 on HBO CINEMAX COMING IN AUGUST Robert De Niro in MIDNIGHT RUN BRUCE WILLIS IN DIE HARD U2: RATTLE AND HUM Michael Keaton in CLEAN AND SOBER and SHORT CIRCUIT 2 SPECIAL! mention this ad and receive a big, big, really big discount, (really) we're not kidding. |