Travelling Poet Dreams Poem by Della Perry

When camel silhouettes, black against orange sunsets
Form ripples on the sands
Across vast, mysterious landscapes
Laiden oxen make haste to the 'Gem of the East'
Visions, whispers heard of exotic elegance
Where sparkling turquoise abounds, facades, glazed brick,
Carved marble, beautiful mosaics.
When rich soil births abundant harvest, fruits
Lush forests are watchers, warm sands blankets
Mountains protect their scented children.
Where a throng of prosperous markets, with brave
Energetic people survive in peaceful commerce
Grains, silks, glass, skins
Extravagant hues, reds, blue, yellow, greens
With delectable fruits, scents of pleasing spices
Wool, rugs, jade, semi-precious stones
Tea, flax, ivory cattle sometimes slaves.
Bronzed ladies, tunics shimmer, black plaited hair
Drawn on eyebrows, dance, chatter, yarns told and sewed.
Where blue ribbed cantalope domes tower
How the sand tastes salty on the lips.
Sounds of sellers chants and calls
Trickle of fresh water behind chalky walls.
Camels reins, tinkle of bells
Songs of birds as dawn approaches.
Pilgrims faith, promises of terracotta Cities.
Glades of wild jasmine, sweet smelling lilies.
Where a place of wonder awaits me
A poet awakens...
Samarkand smiles.