Desert Wanderings
Photographer Al Neaimi has linked this poem to his award winning photo called “The Trip”
Desert Wanderings
Are the rare oases enough to
sustain the desert nomad?
And where is the desert boundary –
would the journeyman perceive
its end, or like me, see Canaan
and think it only temporary respite –
can he see beauty where I see none,
sculpture where I see sand –
has he more praise for palm trees
than I for all of Canaan’s promise?
Deserts are but dry expanses of the mind
the hypochondria boredom breeds,
unirrigated months, parched and barren
where there is naught to slake one’s thirst
and coolness only stones beneath one’s tongue,
monotonous thoughtscapes, uninspired
wishing for rivers, never neared mirages
and longings so undefined
that even prayer is sterile.
What happens to dreams that die?
Are they reborn in other minds
nourished in more fertile ground –
do the sands that cover them
windshift
reviving them again, or are they
preserved, like dried straw flowers,
still rich in color
but sapless, too fragile now to grow?
JoanIreland1970
Very nice writing, Lianne. I love it! Well done!
lianne
thank you Joan – as always, your comments inspire and encourage me.
rubes
Lianne, this is beautiful. Longing.
lianne
Thank you rubes – we all have those desert times I suppose – lol.
saleire
Fantastic piece…dreams that are nourished can grow into beautiful harbours of peace to dwell in.
aspectsoftmk
What happens to dreams that die?
Are they reborn in other minds
nourished in more fertile ground –
do the sands that cover them
windshift
reviving them again, or are they
preserved, like dried straw flowers,
still rich in color
but sapless, too fragile now to grow?
my gosh but this is some great writing….just lovely lianne….such pouring….terri
lianne replied
thank you so very much terri – just a question that occurred to me at different times of my life. And when I’m in that “zone” – which isn’t terrbly often – I feel as if I’m in the desert. I’m so glad this touched you in some way. Thank you!
butchart
this is quite beautiful…. and reads so smoothl…just like a desert… i can’t wait to wander around your poetry tonight in the quiet….................b
lianne replied
Oh butch thank you so very much! I do so appreciate your thoughtfulness
vertigodog78
“where there is naught to slake one’s thirst”
“and longings so undefined
that even prayer is sterile.”
Oh, fantastic stuff!
Jen Arthur
Fabulous. The last stanza is particularly strong.
lianne replied
thank you very much Jen – I so appreciate your taking the time to comment. I’m glad you found the strength in the final stanza – it’s where i hoped it would be. This piece means a lot to me – I’m so pleased that you liked it.
Jboo09
I love your comparison of deserts to “dry expanses of the mind,” and dreams dying and being reborn in more fertile minds. Very creative! Awesome work.