Red sand horizon,

a faint lullaby,

light breeze from the West,

under turquoise blue sky

 

Bedouin caravan,

half a mile long,

songbirds and hawk-eagles,

ten thousand strong

 

Palm tree oasis,

a near-empty well,

deceit to the eyes,

sun and desert’s old spell

 

Marauder and pack saddle,

drawing away,

gold florins and ducats,

the spoils of the day

 

Spiraling tempest,

a burst of dark shade,

flash of white light,

calm and stillness unmade

 

Lone aging cypress,

its withering hue,

woeful disciple,

to sweet song once true