A desert town—

Winds burn past dry skin

blistering by  barren sands.

Whirl in motions from movement

crusted by heat.

Cactus offers moist reprieve

if dare you pass the thorny skin.

Opened into wet relieve

from the hot and desert wind.

Echoes sound of failed attempt ,

haunt the nights when all is quiet.

From the pilgrimage of the others,

fleeing in the darkest night

What will, what force, was set in place

among the ash and brown terrain.

The rivers names speak of a time

that now has little semblance remain

©  CMM  2012