Desert

(Written at age 17.)

In the burning desert, I walk,
Eyes ablaze with the sun,
Feet blistering on each grain of parched sand,
Mouth moistureless in the dry air.

I stop.

I close my eyes,
And see the ocean stretch before me.
I dig my feet deep,
And feel the water lick my skin.
I roll my tongue,
And taste the cool blue kiss my throat.

I open my eyes, lift my feet, lick my lips,
And walk on.