Jay P Narain (Jan.1945 / Bihar, India)

Lost in the desert, in the early dawn's light,
the sand is cool, the distant palm tree seems so quiet,
the water bottle is half empty, the hope is half alive,
there is cool anticipation, the path to hope is so much in sight.

Lost in the desert, in the hot midday sun,
the sand blows all over up and around my head,
Far away, it seems like a cavalry of camels is coming to rescue me,
the mirage of oasis all around makes me feel home all over again,

Lost in the desert, in the moon lit evening hours,
watch my lovers smile in the silvery shining sand,
Shifting thru the layers of sand, memories slip thru my fingers in time,
The longing of union becomes so intense, only to evaporate as the dew in the sand,

Lost in the desert, in the late dark nights,
I wish from the breaking stars to fulfill my desires of life,
The ghosts of past come whirling by as bats in my dream,
only to wake me up from my frightening dream.