Clouds of Sand

There it is, horizon far Yellow shades to orange Filling the vista from ground to sky Billowing, rolling, drifting With purpose, driven by heat, by wind Hot grains like flocks of birds linked, waves, rollers, a grainy surf Such speed the land vanishes As if in shroud, hidden moment by moment All I remember covered now A golden fog not slow, no pause It advances in hurry, I brace myself Wrapping scarf, covering well Then surrounded, engulfed, enclosed Then whipped, bitten a thousand times Blind, huddled and waiting Until it passes, this hot stinging storm Revealing the world again Just a canvas of blue sky And a blanket of sand 2003