All Slowly Spinning

I think there
is some kind
of divine order
in the universe.
Every leaf
on every tree
in the world
is unique.
As far as
we can see,
there are
other galaxies,
all slowly
spinning,
numerous as
the leaves
in the forest.
In an infinite
number of planets,
there has to be
an infinite number
with life forms
on them.
Maybe this planet is one of the discarded mistakes.
Maybe it's one of the victories.
We'll never know.
--John D. MacDonald (from "A Deadly Shade of Gold")

agave outside Clear Creek Canyon (top)
indian paintbrush (middle)
Powell Plateau with Serpentine Rapid (below)