Agnes Krampe | + Follow Poet |
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I Wander the Desert Alone

Utah sun bakes barren soil.
This morning, the river trickled.
Now the water has vanished.
Dry pools
with salt crusted rims
smell of thirst.

Red canyon walls reflect the heat.
I rest
in the shade of the lone
cottonwood,
but not too long:
I must reach the spring.

I strain to imagine
the oasis: lush green ferns 
will tumble down the cliff
where the water
bursts from the sandstone
into a clear pool.
How I will drink!

September 28, 2018
For contest: I wander the desert alone
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh

Copyright © Agnes Krampe | Year Posted 2018

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Paul Callus Date: 12/13/2018 10:01:00 AM Your poem makes me want to wander in this desert land, Agnes. Thirst and hot rock can be happily tolerated, as long as there is the knowledge that water and shade are awaiting! Regards // paul Login to Reply

Susan Ashley Date: 11/10/2018 2:02:00 PM The beauty and spirit of this special place is enlivened by your stirring imagery. Superb poetry, Agnes. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Login to Reply

Debbie Walker Date: 10/12/2018 2:40:00 PM Without the picture the imagery still stands out. I love it. I love this poem. Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 10/14/2018 5:02:00 PM Thank you, Debbie.

Line Gauthier Date: 10/6/2018 7:52:00 PM Well penned, Agnes. Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 10/14/2018 5:02:00 PM Thanks, Line.

Bernard Chan Date: 10/2/2018 8:55:00 PM Exquisite lines, Agnes, especially the salt crusted rims smelling of thirst and the ferns tumbling down the cliff. I love this poem :) Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 10/14/2018 4:59:00 PM Thank you, Bernard.

Arthur Vaso Date: 10/1/2018 11:46:00 PM Very beautiful, do you walk there? Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 10/2/2018 8:54:00 AM I do walk in the desert as often as I can. Since we are 18 hours drive away, that means we can only visit once a year, or every other year.

Michelle Faulkner Date: 10/1/2018 2:25:00 PM I just love the lines 'salt crusted rims/smell of thirst' and 'I must reach the spring' - you write beautiful free verse! Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 10/2/2018 8:54:00 AM Thank you, Michelle.

Ifeanyi Obinefo Date: 9/30/2018 11:01:00 PM A wonderful poem. it touched my heart Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 10/2/2018 8:52:00 AM Thank you for your visit

Line Gauthier Date: 9/29/2018 10:59:00 PM Lovely, Agnes. Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 10/2/2018 8:49:00 AM Thank you, Line.

Arturo Michael Date: 9/29/2018 8:35:00 AM You'll drink to your hearts content...you just got to make it there...All the best Agnes Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 9/29/2018 6:04:00 PM Thank you, Arturo. One quite obsesses about water in the desert

Andrea Dietrich Date: 9/28/2018 9:17:00 PM ahh, I see you have been to this great state I reside in (this is a thing I have not done in all my years here) I have not cared to visit the canyon parks! I've seen them but not walked or hiked through them though we did sand dune riding down south which I really enjoyed. Have you seen Bridal Veil Falls in Provo area . I have hiked several mountains in my area and I bet you'd love them. Very nice poem! Login to Reply Agnes Krampe Date: 9/28/2018 9:27:00 PM Thanks, Andrea. I love, love, love the Utah desert! We backpacked Coyote Gulch, Black Canyon, Death Hollow, Zion Narrows, the San Raffael Swell, hiked slots near Escalante and Hanksville. Fantastic. My favorite NP is Capitol Reef (that's where the pic was taken) - far fewer tourists than Arches or Zion.