A Thousand Camels Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

The journey was quite dangerous
the tribal traders knew
this route across the desert sands
could easily fall through

A thousand camels had been fed
and fattened for the trek
swift runners and the Berber guides
were weathered tough roughnecks

When darkness fell exhaustion ruled
from scorching daylong plight
as men and camels settled down
couched in Sahara's night

Nobody from that tight knit crew
would volunteer to work
as traders, camels and their loads
slept when night's dangers lurked

Deathstalkers and horned monitors
would crawl out of their holes
and just one bite could spell the end
of a rich trader's goal

Yet there is always that one soul
reckless as pirate kings
who heedless of destruction's jaws
laughs at ill fortune's stings

He had a sly and stealthy look
which fit his job quite well
for in the night when camels slept
he watched for signs and smells

A single sound, a crackling twig
could signal lions near
a desert nomad wild and parched
could jump out with a spear

The watchman who is all alone
during the long cold night
must be among the few immune
to predators and fights

The journey was quite dangerous
the tribal traders knew
this route across the desert sands
could easily fall through.