Oasis

eternity through storm-blown sand
atop a shifting crest I stand
though daylight's but a brownish haze
a color's glimpse has stopped my gaze

baying winds, a hundred hounds
my sandals sink as I trudge down
through brown coarse cloth I think I've seen
a hint of blue, a flash of green

strength long gone, only will remains
to quench desert thirst in ancient rains
my steps cease, to my knees I sink
darkness comes without a drink

I awake with water on my lips
upon my face stroke fingertips
an angel's eyes look down at me
my head at rest upon her knee

I try to speak but make no sound
smiling, she helps me from the ground
come drink and eat, regain your strength
after, we may talk at length

by my hand, to her tent she leads
by the shore, by palms and reeds
soft pillows form my resting place
she takes a scarlet veil from her face

a water basin from the fire's heat
she kneels and begins to wash my feet
looking up, her eyes meet mine
saying, this I do before we dine

such infinite eyes I've never seen
yet so familiar, as from a dream
so closely death was stalking me
please, my lady, how can this be?

traveller, you have come so far
across the sands with no guiding star
for your glad arrival I've prepared
this humble drink and food we share

before me lies a sultan's feast
gold baked braids of wheat and yeast
wine and grapes, olives and cheese
we eat, refreshed by a nighttime breeze

leagues I've come across this sand
from a distant fertile land
why I left, I cannot recall
only now awake, as from a fall

the journey has taken my very name
she says, I know you, just the same
though we've just met, my love is true
far walker, come, I am for you

flickering light, I watch her arise
her cloak and veils drop to her thighs
my eyes glaze in the lamp's warm glow
twin succulence above, lush delta below

reaching out, I take her hand
into her outstretched arms I stand
a kiss of rose, heavensoft warm skin
the only sounds, our lips and wind

she speaks as she lights upon her knee
looking up, you are for me
moist warmth, soft caress, complete rapture
my heart, my soul, my love, her capture

all night we love, sweet taste of her
ripe tamarind, essence of myrrh
spent from my trip, our meal, our love
my spirit drifts somewhere above

I hear her whisper before I sleep
be well until again we meet
before I answer I close my eyes
and open them to a bright sunrise

no skyblue lake, no palms, no tent
in delirium, the night I've spent
all a cruel dream, I realize
sleep, tears and sand wiped from my eyes

my unknown destiny calls me still
and bids that I renew my will
so again I turn to the trackless trail
as across the dune blows a scarlet veil