Desert Dwellers

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    Desert Dwellers

    Desert dwellers learn to cope

    Or they will all just die

    While windy vistas grant them hope

    From the searing dry

     

    But then, they can’t afford to let

    Clouds become obsession

    Or they would never ever get

    Things done till rain’s next session.

     

    How many times horizon’s glance

    Seems to offer structured hope

    For with the cloud there comes the chance

    To walk some greening slope

     

    And yet, gray day or purple eve

    Withholds the answered prayer

    I’ve asked myself, ”Why don’t they leave?”

    But they’re accustomed to live there.

     

    Accustomed to their chronic need

    The dry mouth parched sensation

    Accustomed to habitual plead

    Without any answering hydration

     

    I moved into my desert home

    On wings of desperation

    Forgive my urge to sudden roam

    Without a destination

     

    I’m one of those grown tired of thirst

    Of some saving watering draft

    I prayed you please to love me first

    But in answer, you just laughed.

     

    Sardonic that such clear request

    Met no answering explaination;

    It’s not you didn’t love me best

    But, a damned fool’s expectation.


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    carynontherhine commented on Desert Dwellers

    01-18-2011

    A dry land you describe and always the expectations.of love. Or of our lover. Your imagination just keeps me in utter awe Harvy. Bravo! Hugz
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/18/2011

    there is a song I learned to sing in High School Chorale, something about "Cool, clear, water." All day I've faced the barren waste without a taste of water, cool clear, water." and then come the parading mirages. . . Harv

    ginga commented on Desert Dwellers

    01-14-2011

    Harver, A creative take on life in the desert. This reads like a personal letter to a friend in the rainforest and what one endures in a dry desert. ginga
    Reply to Comment

    Stardrift commented on Desert Dwellers

    01-13-2011

    Hey, Harv! I love this conceit of geology and psychology. And as Brokenheart said, I liked the unpredicted and adept weave of the close with the title. I'm guessing you're an especially big fan of Robert Frost (?). Do you have any other desert writes? So, let me see if I can misunderstand this correctly: couples should never move to deserts? Lol! Btw, thank you for your recent comment on "Aquafire". This is a CAT-10 desert brainstorm! God bless.
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/14/2011

    thanks stardrift, you left a thoughful paragraph. I do like Robert Frost. I have written at leastone other "desert" poem. "Gonna Be a Dry Day." I may have taken it off this site, or it may be on the list still. I can always send you a copy if it isn't here. Harv

    Hampton commented on Desert Dwellers

    01-13-2011

    You have already received a ton of cudo's for your use of metaphors so I shall simply say "ditto". I always enjoy reading your work.
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/13/2011

    Dittos is kudos in shorthand, when imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Harv

    Hampton

    01/13/2011

    Kudo's with a C shame on me.

    Olan01 commented on Desert Dwellers

    01-13-2011

    Supplications for the nectar of life; love, sometimes is granted, sometimes denied leaving a bitter taste in our mouth but the body and soul adjusts to its arid environs out of necessity. I went to Arizona to find a place to live for I longed all my life to live in the desert air. Once there I found I missed my lush green grass of home and the frequent rain. I was also allergic to every flower that bloomed in the blooming desert and returned home. Your use of metaphors is excellent in this poem. Love, peace and freedom, Olan.
    Reply to Comment

    HarverTomsson

    01/13/2011

    We are, of course, talking about the emotional life when two people actually meet one another's needs. The desert gets damned because of inefficient or subversive communication patterns. But I really enjoyed your counter story about allergies!

    Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It's that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that's what the poet does.

    Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) U.S. poet.

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