I Have a Heart

I walked alone for long on the desert trail Saw the trembling mirage creep, melt away I didn’t know then my wanton life I would fail For no hand I found holding mine on my way. A caved dune rippling in the dry desert wind I didn’t see a tender sapling struggle to grow In the moist crevice of sand layer it could find When the rare raining clouds descended low. I saw you walking on a crisp evening in winter As if floating along the sandy valley toward me I felt within me sun’s glow on your face enter Arid loneliness melted, flowed out in a stream. My feelings swam in the shimmer of your eyes The sun went down, the dusk told you to depart In the distant dune horizon you would again rise Hold my hands, make me realize I have a heart. October 21, 2017