The Desert

Sol hung in the western sky,
in the western sky Sol hung,
like a dead man on a rope
when dying time has come.

Watch how you tread in the desert,
in the desert watch how you tread,
the vultures soar high on the thermals
as they seek out the dying and dead.

Take water to drink on your journey,
on your journey take water to drink,
there's a lack of sweat, on that you can bet,
but you've dried out more than you think.

Plant your feet with care when walking,
when walking plant your feet with care,
the horse crippler cactus is waiting
to take you unawares.

Pass by the brush with caution,
with caution pass by the brush,
the diamondback lounges in shadows
but his strike comes on with a rush.

Disturb not the stones on your travels,
on your travels disturb not the stones,
a scorpion may surprise you,
their sting goes down to your bones.

All is not dread in the wasteland,
in the wasteland all is not dread,
but vultures fly high on the thermals
as they wait one and all to be fed.

All is not death in the desert,
in the desert all is not death,
beauty enough for the seeker
to take away their breath.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

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

Leiser Avatar
July 16, 2024 at 8:56 PM
This is an excellent poem, John! I love how you reword your phrases in such a clever and rhythmic way…blends perfectly in with the mood and warnings about the dangers of the desert. Great imagery , as well! Glad I stopped by to read this. :)
Summers Avatar
July 17, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Thanks so much for reading and the comments. I lived in the southwest for a number of years and really couldn’t get enough of the landscape. John
Mcconnell Avatar
October 24, 2023 at 1:32 PM
Such a lovely piece John, so well penned with nice rhyme and flow too. Blessings, Gordon
Summers Avatar
October 24, 2023 at 1:45 PM
Thank you Gordon, have a nice day. John
James Avatar
October 5, 2023 at 8:42 AM
What a wonderful poem John. I really enjoyed it. Loved what you did with the first two lines on every verse. Beautiful and deadly she is. Emilia : )
Summers Avatar
October 5, 2023 at 2:53 PM
Thanks so much for reading and for the comments. Glad you liked it. John
Volumes Avatar
August 29, 2023 at 5:47 PM
You truly are a wonderful poem John. For beauty to have a touch of the frightful, It just makes the beautiful shone more. Loved it. I want more !
Summers Avatar
August 30, 2023 at 4:59 PM
Thank you very much for all of your reading, it is greatly appreciated. John
Lindley Avatar
July 23, 2023 at 11:49 AM
Brilliant poetry and imagery sublime , imho. I loved the repeated verse style in this gem my friend. And the desert to me is fascinating both in and of itself. A fav... Giod bless.
Summers Avatar
July 24, 2023 at 11:08 AM
Hi Robert. Glad you found something here you liked. I always liked my desert hikes...so much to see. John
Spilchuk Avatar
July 23, 2023 at 9:32 AM
Lovely poem emphasizing both the beauty of nature and the dire consequences of disobedience when disrespectful of nature. Nicely done.
Summers Avatar
July 24, 2023 at 11:02 AM
Thank you Dennis. You should see it after the annual rains when it puts on its color. John
Baker Avatar
July 21, 2023 at 10:35 PM
Beautiful poetry of the desert, your knowledge of the foliage and the critters was impressive and the imagery was spot on. I lived in El Pso, Tx for ten years and Arizona for a few years, so it made me feel right at home. There's is beauty to be found in all of God's creation ... as they say (the committe of they) "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". If you're looking for beauty, you can find it in about everything I figure. Thanks for the visit to my poetry and for sharing yours. Bill
Summers Avatar
July 22, 2023 at 12:20 PM
Thanks so much for reading and the comments. We lived about 30 miles s. of Albuquerque in Belen. Made it to El Paso a few times. Loved the rock formations just north of town. Rather alien. John
M  Avatar
July 5, 2023 at 10:37 PM
Hi John….brilliant poem about the desert.I lived in Dubai for six years but unfortunately not a bit fan of it….l do appreciate the sculptured beauty of the large sand dunes made solely by nature….l found that incredibly amazing and very beautiful and l also love the stars in the desert night sky very beautiful also…. other than that ?? Give me water or greenery anytime haha!! Debx
Summers Avatar
July 6, 2023 at 8:44 AM
How interesting Deb, I’d like to see that, especially at night. Thanks much for reading. John
Dietrich Avatar
July 3, 2023 at 5:04 PM
this is so lovely. The desert has its own special beauty.
Summers Avatar
July 3, 2023 at 10:00 PM
I loved it, especially after the seasonal rains bloomed it all up. Thanks for reading. John
Wolf Avatar
June 28, 2023 at 7:55 AM
Love the technique you used, reversing the order of the clauses/sentences in the first and second lines. Very effective! -- as was the entire poem. Keep trekkin'! ~ Gershon
Summers Avatar
June 28, 2023 at 5:55 PM
Thanks much Gershon, I appreciate the comments. The idea on form was from an Edward Lear poem, “The Jumblies.” John
Oldham Avatar
June 27, 2023 at 4:22 PM
Good poem, J. Definitely captures the dangers of the desert. I like the style - Nicely done. Best, John
Summers Avatar
June 27, 2023 at 8:39 PM
Thanks for reading John, it's always appreciated. John
Willason Avatar
June 27, 2023 at 3:20 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed accompanying your words through this landscape John, captures the alluring beauty and danger of the desert. Spent some time there....thanks for creating this window for my imagination. Paul
Summers Avatar
June 27, 2023 at 8:43 PM
Thanks Paul, I spent some years in New Mexico and liked it all very much. John
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace