"The Desert Is An Expression"

[Zarn Ishtare]

Note: To be read aloud, slowly enough to appreciate the flavor of the words, with the intended voice speaking matter-of-factly and calmly throughout.


The desert is an expression
Of a sweeping hand over sand
Erasing sign and signature.

The desert is an expression
Of many mountains moving, so slowly, so surely, so.

The desert is an expression
of my master's tone-poem
making music

The desert is an expression
It is a statement that says stop
all your mangled motions
your many fingers moving.

The desert is an expression
of hunger, waiting to be fed
Cool water; the river of life flows
but not today.

The desert
is an expression
With no beginning or end
it contains itself alone.


The desert is an expression
far away, a blank canvas
near,
reveals itself.



The desert is an expression
of the living and the dying
of unimportant creatures
drowning in the drought water.

[Peanut]

I followed your note and I have to say it made me enjoy the poem quite a bit (though I felt like, at times, I was trying to do my best Carl Sagan impersonation). The lines move pretty smoothly and have a nice calming feel to them. Good poem Zarn.

[Zarn Ishtare]

Thanks for the comment, Peanut.