Laura Leiser Poet Free verse

Death Valley

Hot winds sweep over desert floor
on a dry lake, at Death Valley’s door
I walk the salty, white washed sand
feeling small in this searing land. 

Herein lies Bad Water, hot and disheveled 
a barren wilderness below sea level 
near Furnace Creek, home of the devil.
Pioneers mined silver in this place
every breath, survival; after death, erased. 

Dystopian shapes ripple and rise
skewing reality, hallucinatory surprise 
caught within desert’s blistering heat
blurring the mountains in retreat. 

I feel a crackling in my bones
I can hear past cries and moans
stark air penetrates my very being
my skin bakes in sun scorched steam. 

Horizon spirit reigns from on high 
breathing life into vast blue skies
cumulus clouds stand dominant and varied 
now they turn stormy, dark and wary. 

Layers of sand dunes rise like stiles
tall pyramids expand for miles
moving and drifting in waves and spires
lizards retreat from heat and exhale fire. 

I leave my footprints on the dunes 
passing sagebrush at high noon
shrinking shrubs will soon dry out
tumbleweeds will fly about
then blow away, just like me
into oblivion and feeling free.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Bj Legros Kelley May 10, 2026 at 3:51 AM I know that valley from childhood, and the Salton Sea. It is eerie now. I remember when the Saltan Sea was an oasis in the desert, long, long ago, in the 60's. I went there in the 70's and it was horrible, it never recovered to its former glory. I was so horrified walking in the 'sand' when I realized it was crushed fish bones! It smelled so awful too. I don't enjoy Death Valley, it's so hot, but its interesting. I enjoyed reading your poem about something I was so familiar with many years ago. Laura Leiser May 10, 2026 at 4:12 PM Thank you again, Bj, for commenting on my poetry! I have a poem I wrote specifically about the Salton Sea title Dead End, if you are interested in reading it. It truly is an unforgettable place, similar to Death Valley.