Desert Living

Desert Living

A Poem by Marie Harrison
"

A desert poem

"

 

DESERT LIVING
 
Skeletal tumbleweeds waltz
around in aimless circles
on the dusty desert floor.
 
Gusty winter winds of the
desert beat against our
houses and moan while
continuously jangling the
wind chimes.
Leaving everyone
feeling detached and
alone in the safety of their
warm homes.
 
Something about the
desert that can leave you
feeling so desolate and
sorrowful that even the
hollow of your bones
desperately
seek company.
 
You want to just crawl back to
the warmth of your bed
and just cry yourself
to sleep.
 
Deep in the desert,
where only hardy
creatures exist,
you might go
weeks or months
without seeing
anyone.
 
Your mouth gets so
dry and parched from
the arid desert air,
and your voice
just cracks from
lack of use.
 
Eventually,
the winds
have to moan
for everyone
just to give
her people
relief.
 
The desert's
not for everyone.
 
 

© 2010 Marie Harrison


Author's Note

Marie Harrison
My experience of living in the desert and calling it home.

My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register




Featured Review

wow this is very very perceptive work. you've picked a really great topic to write about here. personally i'm very astonished by all the animals that can be found in the desert, and how well they adapt. although sometimes yes it feels like a right wasteland...
kind of reminds me of a time when i was on holiday in Australia. since it was about winter, though we were in the middle of a desert it was real cold, and so there was the improbable sight of people wearing parkas in the middle of the desert, lol
wonderful work!

Posted 13 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

Yea, I wouldn't be able to live in the desert. Good poem though. It was cool that you did, but I don't think I would be able to handle. I love it. And I like the colors you used. Thanks for sharing. :)

Posted 13 Years Ago


I've stayed out in the desert for a month before. At first it really wasn't for me. Especially, the nights and my allergies. But when I got used to it, it really did feel like home.

Posted 13 Years Ago


I really like this, though I have never physically lived in a desert there are times and many at that where I do emotionally feel as though I do. You could say living in the desert is like looking out the window and never enjoying what life has to give.

Posted 13 Years Ago


I know what you mean I spent some time in Arizona.
Great job well done.

Posted 13 Years Ago


I loved the description of the desert... it makes me restless. It drew me in when you started to elaborate on the different characteristics and memories of living in the desert.

Wonderful piece of poetry, m'dear.

~Gage

Posted 13 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

[send message][befriend] Subscribe
KL
Although this pertains to a particular experience of yours, this can be associated with so much more. The desert is synonymous with isolation, and could very well describe the feeling after any situation where you feel very alone (heartbreak, death of a loved one, or in your case, moving away). Love the symbolism, whether there was intention or not!

"Skeletal tumbleweeds waltz
around in aimless circles
on the dusty desert floor."

Very strong, perfectly flowing introduction that carries right through to the end. Really enjoyed this, thanks.

Posted 13 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Fascinating. I've only driven through a piece of desert,
but cannot imagine living in one. Could be lonely as hell,
and HOT! I don't like HOT. lol This poem is visual and
I like it ;)

Posted 13 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

The comments on the font colors being acid trippy and gratuitous make me think two things: First, the colors match desert heat, so fine. Second, psychotropics are one creative response to the stark space of the desert. ;-)

Tho' I like "hallow" for its sacral associations, I think you mean "hollow."

Overall, it's a starkly honest delineation of the travails of living in the desert without altered states of consciousness (the latter benefits from the absence of city noise and distractions). Probably depends on the essential company you keep there too. But yeah, pro or con, it's not for everyone.

Skeletal tumbleweeds waltz
around in aimless circles
on the dusty desert floor.

Those almost-haiku (5-7-5 syllables) opening lines are striking enough as words and images to extend beyond themselves into a meditation on the starkness of the human condition, the "desert of the real," that so many distractions conceal.


Posted 13 Years Ago


Living in the desert must be tough. Well, I live in an urban desert, if there ever was such a place, I don't find it as tough. The story you weave with the backdrop of the desert heat and loneliness is very good, though. There are many lines I like in this poem. Your depiction of the troubles the desert poses to life is very clever indeed. Good work!

Posted 13 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

This makes the desert sound like a place to be avoided at all costs. I like the deserts in Oregon.

Posted 13 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


First Page first
Previous Page prev
1
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

640 Views
19 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 1 Library
Added on August 20, 2010
Last Updated on August 23, 2010
Tags: Desert, Nature, Moody Setting, Dry, Energy, Restless, Life in the Desert

Author

Marie Harrison
Marie Harrison

Atlanta, GA



About
Momma told me to get out and enjoy life, so now I'm going to dance. more..

Writing

Related Writing

People who liked this story also liked..