Death Passes By Poem by Juan Olivarez

A vast endless sea of sand beyond
The blue grey hills, bathed in the sun
Creosote bushes dot the line
Of a bleak horizon, where heat waves shine

Nothing stirs the sun so cruel
No breeze at all to keep me cool
I walk alone in the desert free
Of all my troubles in this endless sea.

The desert is full of life they say
But Death is the one that comes my way
Sidewinding down an ancient hill,
Forked tongue flicking, I stand so still.

Death passes by and looks at me
The rattles silent, no need to flee
Death travels by and goes his way
I live to walk another day.

4/1910 29 palms ca.