Blazing brightness disappeared
the desert sleeps and dreams
and soothes the searing memories,
born in the belly of the day.
The holy wafer offered,
the blessing is received,
the endless mystic ritual
still triumphs over hell.
The icy sanctity of night
relieves the fevered brow
of earth's bright face,
cools bitter sands;
tucks in the sleep-humped hills.
The desert holds the hem of night
and stretches sunburnt hands
to drink the blessed cup of life
which only darkness brings.
1990
The desert holds the hem of night
ReplyDeleteand stretches sunburnt hands
to drink the blessed cup of life
which only darkness brings....dang those four lines are a poem themselves...and really sink this one in for me....very nice...
I honestly like everything about this. I've read it a few times now. It's a power-packed piece. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that dreams "soothes the searing memories, born in the belly of the day."
ReplyDeleteIf only they were all that peaceful.
Ah yes, salient point Sabio.
DeleteBeautiful words, conveying atmosphere.
ReplyDelete