The Desert

a rattler flicking its 
split tongue...gathering
chemical messengers~ Prairie Dog
without a prayer

vulture, periscope downward
navigates a granulate sea, 
follows the wavering flow of tracks~
just over a grilling crest his meal
falls, pauses and pauses and pauses

he waits a bit longer on the sun, dinner
sun-baked and organic

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Sara Kendrick

Date: 4/9/2024 3:24:00 AM

I really like this one coming from the prospective of the varmint waiting to get their meal. Nature can seem cruel to humans, but it is known as survival. When I see nature programs on TV and an animal takes down gazelle or another animal, I cringe. It is heartbreaking to me, but deep within I know they have to eat. At some point in time, the lion will lay down with the lamb though. I don't know how it is going to happen. Maybe all will be plant eaters then, but it will be nice. Sara K

Joe Dimino
Date: 4/9/2024 9:43:00 AM

Hi Sara; thank you. We trust in God. I believe God has a plan...and all will work-out in His way and time. I don't believe that He wants animals to destroy one another in order to survive. We are missing something in our understanding of creation and Divine Purpose. Free Will is not interpreted correctly, speaking of man's profound relationship to his social and physical environments. We have far more control over things, than mankind sees, and when he does, is willing to admit to his soul. Blessings my friend.

Ink Empress

Date: 4/8/2024 10:47:00 AM

Dear joe, how descriptive and creative is the way youv woven words throughout this, i especially love the opening lines, do you have deserts near your place. I do enjoy going to the desert away from the busy city life etc. but the ride can be quite bumpy especially in dubai. Iv heard they do have scorpions alot, and can be quite poisonous. Heard many stories. “ sun baked and organic” brilliant ending to your excellent word weaving! Pleasure always reading your work! Sending you light! Fave it is

Joe Dimino
Date: 4/8/2024 11:34:00 AM

Hi IE. I live in the city, but not too far from the desert. A half hour drive and you are there. Yes, scorpions can be nasty. I got stung a couple of times, just by being careless.... The ones in Arizona are not so poisonous -- if you are reasonably healthy, not too much to worry about. The smaller ones, the bark scorpions are the worst. Got stung by one of those in a shed, handling an old painting -- very painful for about an hour, and then no feeling in finger for about a week. For me brown Paper Wasp stings are more severe, stung on the back of my hand and my hand, wrist, swelled up like a balloon for about a week -- older now I find I have less tolerance. So I am more careful.

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 4/8/2024 9:26:00 AM

Just perfectly beautiful description of fauna oin the desert. The rattlesnake is the honored resident there.

Joe Dimino
Date: 4/8/2024 8:21:00 PM

Honored and respected -- I've got a good rattlesnake story, but just not enough room her to tell it. Thank you, Hilda; have a great evening.

Silent One

Date: 4/8/2024 8:23:00 AM

This is a most poetic meditation on the primal forces that shape the natural world, inviting readers to contemplate the beauty and brutality of life on the prairie. It serves as a reminder of the fragility and resilience of the creatures that inhabit this rugged landscape, and of the complex web of relationships that sustains life in even the harshest environments.

Joe Dimino
Date: 4/8/2024 8:32:00 AM

Thank you, Si; I love the desert. The people who inhabit it, an old desert rat myself -- and the creatures that survive in such a challenging environment. Not so estranged from kids growing up in poverty on the streets of New York. All elements of creation have more in common than differences. Sorry Gleick, you are wrong.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 4/8/2024 5:30:00 AM

You bring to fore the desert images my friend: a rattler flicking its split tongue...gathering---vulture, periscope downward--you took me there with your descriptions, Joe.

Joe Dimino
Date: 4/8/2024 7:50:00 AM

Thank you so much, Vijay; for me the desert is abundant with meditative wonder. So much to write about really. Blessings my friend.