Desert's Buzz:
Amelia Bjorkland

I. Land

You told me
about flat land
and I felt it
slowly rise upward

Rolling hills broken
by steep declines
dusty granite-like hurdles
climaxing in a mud puddle

This "oasis"
not one of budding fertility
nor vines to swing
but calmness, coolness, and serenity

Of hairy "Cousin It" trees
of mile high clouds
of balancing act rocks
all intertwined with its history of life

II. A Deep Sigh

I ate, sat, wrote
and with a deep sigh re-entered the desolation
high off the desert's buzz
walking, trudging, scooting
guzzling water's kiss

III. Blisters Hurt

Finally the destination landed
but the hacked rolling hills
had left their mark
because blisters hurt
and the inspiration of cacti
only
lasts
so
long