DESERT NIGHTS

A poem for my "Keeping the Dream Alive" contest. Not for consideration of course! The phrase to be included in poem was ~ "like air sweetened by desert honey suckle"

 

 

 

DESERT NIGHTS

 

a

mirage of

dancing water ripples

ghostly shapes as shadows

 deepen and lengthen in the

lingering desert nights the Azan calling

the faithful to salah is like air sweetened

by desert honey suckle  in a golden mosque

 pyramids repose gallantly guarding secrets silhouetted

against the veil of vigilance coldness seeps into cracks of

clear moonlit frosty stars keeping steely watch ‘til the newborn sun

unfurling spreads her orange wrap swamping the desert sea burning

heat ruling over lands of antiquity scorching the paths of the prophets promising

those lost in this wilderness will find shelter in the arms in an oasis temple of palm trees 

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~* 

 

© Helena April 2009

 

Note:

Azan (Athan) is the call to prayer by a prayer caller (Muezzin) ~
Salat or Salah is the obligatory five times a day prayer for Muslims  ~

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading my words ~ Helena

Reviews

[Bethany Woody]

Oh I love this. It is so beautifuly descriptive. It feels almost as if it hints to the troubles the lands have seen or are currently facing (the lines~ pyramids repose gallantly guarding secrets silhouetted
against the veil of vigilance coldness seeps into cracks)

The shape the words make gives the piece an extra exotic feel. I could easily imagine being in the desert with the shifting sands and the thirst for water. This is a piece for my favorites.

[Nassira Merahi]

Helena, you have taken me right home with your beautiful poem ... I could even hear the athan in the background of your very unique writing sister!
Thank you for the journey :))))))
Salaam

[Xyve rrg]

i thought it was a desert dune... oooh lovely, gives me an exoctic feeling... i felt like a desert nomad wandering and wandering
the imagery is wonderful!
and thanks for the new words i have learned!

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Helena,

This is a beautiful piece. I feel the desert. I feel the people living there. I feel the alternate days and nights passing across the sands, the long shadows of late afternoons and the burning orange glow of cloudless sunrises. This is a masterful write. One of your best. Sometimes a contest will just pull that out of us, making us think and write in ways we otherwise wouldn't consider.

Congratulations on an inspired piece.

Best regards,

Rick

[Tovli]

this is really good. You see, I have not read a lot of your poems lately--and now what a treat. they are so beutiful and have changed since we first met--right on cousin--keep singing.

[Kelley]

Very good poem Helena. I love how you made me feel like
a lost soul finding a home.

Great write!!! Thanks for sharing.

Kelley

[Shellie]

This is a gorgeus poem, the effect of the text written in pyramid form that matches with your title and theme, xcellently done!

i like the effect of this:
lingering desert nights the Azan calling

the faithful to salah is like air sweetened

and then you explain the words:
Azan (Athan) is the call to prayer by a prayer caller (Muezzin) ~
Salat or Salah is the obligatory five times a day prayer for Muslims ~



it fits so well there, some of your phrases are fantastically done.

[Gandré]

I thought this was beautiful and also, optically great poem.

[BABSIE BEE]

Fabulous work. Soooooo very descriptive and full of vibrance. Love it. Thanks.
Babsie Bee xx

[Cordell]

FREAKING CREATIVE BEAUTIFULLY DONE :)