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.

[angelina neves]

wonderful! Beautiful! Lovely! Magic!

[emmajoy]

This is so beautiful... the words flow, the meter's incredibly strong yet subtle.. the way you've created the pyramid with your lines is virtual perfect.. I'm in awe of your skill.

' '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 '

[Cherry Berry]

This poem is simply beautiful, and I loved that the poem forms a pyramid. Well penned.
xox
Cherri

[Gheeneil]

I like the last line. It's very striking. I learned that Palm trees symbolize wisdom, intelligence and providence. Besides the choice of words and flow, I like the form. The pyramid fits into the theme perfectly. We know that the pyramid has its religious significance too. This is an excellent write.

[Frances O'Neill]

Absolutely beautiful! I was floating across the pryamid cusps!

I was also glad for the footnote!

I really liked the below line.

"coldness seeps into cracks of

clear moonlit frosty stars"

[Anastasia Starlena]

Absolutely breathtaking... A calm serene piece.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

That is truly wonderful and inspiring... finding good in a bad situation.

[Suelou]

Wow! This is fantastic, Helena! I love the way you wrote this.

[EmpressPoetess]

Serenely beautiful and very enchanting, Helena! I love how you wrote this in Pyramid form! Just great!

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

Beautiful and well constructed. Thanks for sharing.