Heat waves above the desert gleam as bright As silver ribbons twisted in the sun; With gravid weight they crush the daring one Who ventures forth in day's oppressive light. Slow Gila monsters crawl in sluggish flight Across this waste which all but reptiles shun. Grey dust goes swirling where dry gullies run, Beyond the grim saguaros' solemn height. Sharp-scented greasewood permeates the air Like some rare oil of old Egyptian brand; The desert seems a mummy, dried and bare, Embalmed by arid sun, and spice, and sand; Such stifling hotness surely must compare With worlds just cast from God's creative hand. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GHOST OF DEACON BROWN by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ITALIAN PICTURES: COSTA MAGIC by MINA LOY YOUTH'S IMMORTALITY by GEORGE SANTAYANA BUCOLIC COMEDY: SPINNING SONG by EDITH SITWELL ELEGY: THE LAMENT OF EDWARD BLASTOCK; FOR RICHARD ROWLEY by EDITH SITWELL |