In the name of country,

King,

and God,

Coronado came from a far-away land

to explore for rumored gold,

tracing a path across seas,

and barren llano,

imposing a new God, and rule

on people who lived in harmony

with their gods from Nature.

"Where is your gold?",

the invaders demanded.

But the only answer came at sunset

on mud walls

that glistened of red and yellow gold.

They searched on

in river canyons

atop sandstone mesas

and on snowy mountain peaks.

With empty hands,

plagued by visions of yellow ore

the Expedition departed for home,

leaving New Mexico forever.

Shamed by failure,

dishonored by countrymen and king,

they were broken men,

forever haunted

by mirages of

mud walls

that glistened of red and yellow gold.