Oases

Ah, the sweet smell of oases past.


Even now the ready laughter of men..

Sated with wine..the coolness of eve,

Descending into her eyes

Where all the desert sands are spawned

And a heart was full.



Those were dusty days ago

Only the echoes to comfort

This lonely trek..the spitting

Groans of the camels giving voice

To our longing

The fears that do not speak.



Across this ancient strand

Upon this timeless trail

The wind tossed steps of the faithful

Each caravan oozing onwards.



Upon the horizon's edge

A new illusion staggers into day

Until the eyes grow full.

Mirage rising warily

Our shame! Our ..hope



Fortune cast not a clouded eye

Nor invite the scorpion's wrath

Even now as Kkali's spawn.. Sirroco

Screams winds of desolation

We, devour the dunes

We, the people of the caravan.



Zman 2003