Dry As Desert

A traveler find themselves severely dehydrated and with no supplies in the middle of a desert.

The sun beats down overhead

Against a pale, cloudless sky.

There are no trees to crawl beneath

Or structures to seek refuge.

All I see in every direction

Are miles and miles of endless desert.

The air is dry as the sand

And drapes over my body like a blanket.

I hear nothing other than the pounding

In my chest and whooshing in my ears.

The wild sandstorms have long distorted

My sense of direction.

The legs who have carried me all this way

Start to tremble.

I take a step only to for my knees to cave.

I find myself vulnerable and broken,

Lying alone on the desert floor.

I open my mouth to scream

But my throat too is dry as the air.

My body begs for water,

But my provisions are depleted

And my canteen empty.

Without water, the pillar of life crumbles

And death looms in the ruins.

I recount a silent prayer,

Wishing  this world well

Before shutting my eyes to the blinding sun

And slipping into darkness.

Author's Note

Does the writing flow? How do you feel after reading the poem?

Reviews

[H.L. Cerveise]

Yes, I like the flow. I could see heat waves coming off the sand. I could feel the hopelessness of the traveler. I wrote awhile back a short story with a desert theme. It was inspired from a interaction I had with others in a virtual world. You can find it at: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/hlcerveise/1753551/ it is titled "Wanderer's Affinity for Water"

Again well done. Did you mean to use "the legs who" instead of "the legs which"? If so okay, I just know sometimes as writers we pick words for effect and not for grammar.

[thetish]

How powerful. I felt wrapped up in the hot, dry air and utterly empty.

[An owl on the moon]

Powerful and dark, how the desert can consume the body and soul. The words seem to take us all down into the heat and aching place of living on the edge of death's whispers.

[Imagery]

I am so grateful you commented. This is my first review I have received on the site.

I am glad the writing was able to transport you as the reader. I wanted the desert to represent the nature of death so it is great the message was communicated properly. Thanks again!

[An owl on the moon]

I am so glad to have you here with us! Welcome! I've been here... at least 8 years I guess... and enjoy the community here so much. :)