Desert of My Soul
Across this barren desert, I have traveled many years,
The tropics of my youth, so long forgotten through the tears;
Before me lies an endless sea of unforgiving sand,
No refuge to be found across this vast, expanse of land.
As sun rays burn my weathered skin, the winds have gathered force,
I urge myself to carry on, to try to stay my course;
But low the sand is warm and soft, it welcomes me to rest,
With no resistance left, I fall … abandoning my quest.
I’m bleeding, broken, laying in this wasteland of despair,
The scavengers are hovering, like devils in the air;
I watch them through my weary eyes, they circle me as prey,
I wave my hands in futile gesture, keeping them at bay.
I struggle through confusing thoughts as conscious efforts shift,
‘Twas long ago I lost my will … my mind began to drift;
I started out this journey fortified with faith to burn,
A satchel filled with dreams and hope, renewed at every turn.
No worries to re-fill my cup when I was running low,
For always an oasis gleamed, replenishing my soul;
But somewhere I grew weary and the days grew hot and long,
I lost the small delights of life that kept me fresh and strong.
The nights closed in with vengeance, they were cold and stark and bleak,
With morning just a repetition, nothing left to seek;
My vision had abandoned me, my dreams had turned to dust,
My faith and strength forsaken, in a world I could not trust.
And so I lay, in crumbled mass, upon the desert floor,
Afraid to look ahead to prove there’s really nothing more;
The wind is blowing ‘cross my brow, the sand is in my eyes,
My throat is parched, no longer can I utter simple cries.
I strain to see above myself, they’re closer now I fear,
The scavengers have sensed I’ve given up, and circle near;
A victim of my own intent, no one to place the blame,
It rests upon my shoulders, it was “I” … who failed the game.
In forfeiture, I close my eyes, surrendering my will,
Assuming I had taken all my mind could take … until …
An outline lingered close to me, I sensed it’s breath close by,
I felt it’s cold and clammy presence … spewed a frightened cry.
My eyes flew open, there they were! These creatures of my fear,
Awaiting my demise, they hovered intimately near;
My mind screamed out in protest, “Don’t give up and let them win!”
“You’ve taken all you can, but now you “must” begin again!”
I gathered all the strength I could, and rose from where I lay,
Revitalized with energy that surged from far away;
I stood and faced my fears head on, they backed away in shock,
Renewed in sheer bewilderment … I turned my back and walked.
I headed for the vast unknown, with purpose in my stride,
I mustered all the faith I could, last vestiges of pride;
I scanned the new horizon hoping I could find relief,
And then, to my amazement and my utter disbelief …
I saw with hazy vision, in the distance there appeared,
The form of an oasis … rapt in faith, I persevered.