With the letters SP carved into its forehead — South Mountain stands tall
under a bright California sun.
It gazes upon the Santa Clara River Valley,
above tiny, one-story houses,
street lights on Main Street,
cafes, taquerias, and Western shops
passed down to the young. There are bumpy, curvy roads
going up its tree-lined slope,
tracks with an occasional train,
small private planes going in circles,
dotting the Santa Paula landscape,
hawks dive-bomb their prey;
and on the chilly December night,
Santa’s sleigh can be spotted
doing rounds before Christmas.