Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SPIRIT OF THE DESERT by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL

First Line: AN INDIAN RIDES ACROSS THE PLAIN
Last Line: THEY FADE INTO THE DESERT-DEARTH.
Subject(s): DESERTS; DROUGHT; FOOD & EATING; HEAT;

An Indian rides across the plain;
And crushed beneath his pony's tread
The alkali's white crystals shine;
Red wheels the sun high overhead.

Stolid of face and sombre-eyed;
His mustang's bridle trails aground;
The sullen lassitude of heat,
Of smothering light, enfolds them round.

Hot hazes rise; in shimmering veil,
The panting breath of parchéd earth,
Their silhouette grows dim; a speck
They fade into the desert-dearth.



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