Mirage Poem by Juan Olivarez

A clear pool of water beckons to me,
neath a gigantic Joshua tree.

But as I get closer it's fading away,
swallowed by sand, as the night swallows day.

Heat waves rise from the land up ahead,
but I must keep walking, though my legs feel like lead.

Then off to the right, I see it again,
the sun sears my eyes, all i'm feeling is pain.

I walk towards the pool, refreshingly clear,
and in my mind I swear that I hear.

The sound of water bubbling on stones,
yet all I can see now, are animal bones.

With my hands on my hips, I look up at the sky,
and stare at the clouds, forming up high.

They're packing together, turning around,
heading this way, with ominous sounds.

I feel the cool breeze, upon my face,
off in the distance, is a beautiful haze.

Water from Heaven, a most beautiful thing,
I'll sit down and wait, by this dried up spring.

5/18/10 29 palms ca.