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The Desert Plays Mean Tricks On a Man

Weaving before me, or was it me weaving
   The palm tree seemed to shimmer
In the hazy red sun beating down
   My weary eyes growing dimmer...

The desert will play mean tricks on a man
   Take away his breath; shrink his lifespan...

Raised my canteen to my lips, though hot the drink
   Soothed my thirst; gave me precious moments to think
But I looked up like a fool; saw the palm tree fade
   Replaced by screeching hyenas, of me unafraid... 

Just then the sun dropped below the horizon
   Stifling heat swept away, a pale moon arisin'
I dismounted my camel and fell to my knees
   Drained the canteen; said this prayer, O Lord, please --

Save me tonight from death's clutch on the morrow
   That I know no more thirst or bodily sorrow
'Cos the desert will play mean tricks on a man
   Take away his breath; shrink his lifespan...

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Timothy Mcguire

Date: 7/6/2020 6:16:00 PM

Act II to follow? great!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 7/6/2020 6:47:00 PM

Well, no promises there. I'm no playwright. lol. Thanks, Tim

Rico Leffanta

Date: 7/6/2020 2:08:00 PM

Ah, well, the first thing one learns about the desert is not to take a drink. As soon as you do, your body will scream, "Water is available! I want MORE!" and it is all downhill after that! Forget about modern day "rehydrating" if you want to survive! Aloha! Rico

Rico Leffanta
Date: 7/8/2020 1:19:00 PM

I was an Arizona Site Steward and frequent contributor to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, so I am as at home in the desert as any gila monster! Aloha! Rico

Gershon Wolf
Date: 7/6/2020 6:47:00 PM

Sounds like you've been there, and gratefully, back, Rico! :) gw

Judy Ball

Date: 7/6/2020 6:41:00 AM

For sure the desert is no place I would want to be and why anyone would go there is beyond my comprehension. Too easy to get lost. Too far between out posts. Too little shade if any. Too little water.Anything that makes you hallucinate can't be good. Hell on earth. Great write my friend. God Bless, JB

Gershon Wolf
Date: 7/6/2020 12:04:00 PM

Me, too. Never understood the pull of the desert. Intellectually, I can understand the pull of Mt. Everest, but not the desert. Oh, well...

Jenish Somadas

Date: 7/6/2020 12:13:00 AM

Wow.. a double WOW for this one.. Outstanding poem.. Yes, the desert will play mean trick on a man.. never get cheated on the phantasm of life's deserts..

Gershon Wolf
Date: 7/6/2020 12:02:00 PM

Well, I guess you might know a thing or two about deserts, my friend. Take good care, Gershon