night

'pon a single korai pai mat

Silent  fingers 'pon lips stilling sound, awaiting someone, something.. 

a preciousness far beyond value, beyond the counting of coin.. ..

here in the ancient desert, sand born quartz by time's erosion,

traveled by caravans  rode and writ by adventurers - their haunted notes 

oft whispered against skin silk exotica.

hear the desert moan

Long day done, restless, six camels  champ sand 'neath their feet..  

traveler coughs,  throat dry  sarwan stares inscrutable. hands down vessel,

shrugs his aching shoulders, evicting flicks of night chill ..   tis time:  

tinder burning,  smoke swirls wayward -cigarette smoke, scented, hovers -

fire.. now restless

happens when blood stirs  

flickers, crackles, jumps, wakes: night blushes invisible, mystical -

alluring -  single sounds one by one create solos across, between history

people move, settle, eyes glint - acknowledging a mass of stars

silver laden, slowly.. slower,  drifting down..  man stirs,  licks whiskey lips

then, smiles down at his love 'pon a single korai pai mat.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Em...this is beautiful... I've been to the Moroccan desert... its is breathtaking...especially at night with clear moonlit, star-lit sky ...quite amazing...i love your tale of the desert people ...their behaviors, in the quiet and loneliness of the eve....and then they trek to their next spot, set up camp and over and over...you really make this a magical place, and it is !!! Thank you for sharing this!
HUGS FOREVER
B

[emmajoygreen]

Dear Betty you can see and still feel the same as I have and always will! Yet another emotion and memory we feel. Sharing with you has become something special. I have not only a friend but what could be an extra forever sister!

[Betty Hermelee]

That could be, I’d love to be your adopted sister Em……thank you always!🌹

[emmajoygreen]

::::)))))))) - niece visiting. Will message some time anon!

[Vol]

Joy,
That's as fine a sustained image as I have ever read. I was going to choose an example or two, but I'd have to copy the whole thing. A desert love fantasy with invisible night blushes....So tender...
Vol

[emmajoygreen]

Thank you so much for your generous words, Vol. That is almost based on truth, Vol! The smell, sound and movement of the desert is like nothing else. It bewitched me utterly and completely for days after; have never forgotten two nights could remain with me so strongly and how it made me feel, still does. One just has to think of a desert's age and what might have happened throughout.

[Vol]

Joy,
I knew you had spoken of the desert before and how you loved it. You make me love it, too.
Vol
Dangerous fires today, they got thime under control... I hope.

[emmajoygreen]

Fires, how dreadful. Absolutely nothing worse than fire or water. Has the fire hurt creatures or humans? How long does it take for utilities to reach your area?

[Vol]

Don't know yet... the wind was a steady 20 mph with frequent gusts up to 50... The fire was over a thousand acres... they are still working on it, but the winds are almost calm now... A fire with 35 mph winds and miles of dry grass (hasn't rained here to speak of since last July.) Humidity at about about 4%. Not nearly as exotic as the Saraha... here we can only pretend it's pretty. You never know when the wind will pick up the flames and drop them a mile further in.I'm 30 miles away with a 30 mph wind taking aim. Every thing burns sometime, but for me, TODAY IS NOT THAT DAY! (William Wallace is in my lineage). ... Now where's my Claymore?
Vol




































Vol

[emmajoygreen]

Nonetheless. take care please. Am sure you do cos you're such a logical and wise man.A little nagging helps though! Cheeky me.

[Curly Grace]

There’s such a vivid hush in this piece... the desert breathing, the fire waking, the night gathering its own kind of magic. It settles beautifully on the page.

[emmajoygreen]

What a generous review, Curly Grace - thank you so very much! I have slept in a desert and it's not like anything else. Memorably stored in the mind and will be forever.

[Carrie]

Camels in the desert, great detail for location. Lonely travelers enjoying the night. Do caravans still travel the desert?

[emmajoygreen]

Would think not as in the past. But people holidaying in places with the caravan history would or could display how and what they were. History of that goes back over almost too many years to forget their heritage and such. The desert is unlike anything anywhere on earth; its sounds are extraordinary; the look in camels eyes (whilst evading their breath) is ancient history itself - tis difficult to explain! Many thanks for reading my post.. am very grateful

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we can find many sensual things about "NIght"----and the darkness allows us to see what we want to imagine is there.
And what are those stars thinking as they look down upon us. Do their eyes twinkle with delight or have they died out years ago, giving up on us?
j.

[emmajoygreen]

I prefer to think that those stars go back so far from ourselves that we are on prepared paths and could be foolish to ignore them. Will find out one fine day! Have a feeling that stars are set to guide but is up to each of us to decide - what, where, how and where, etc;

Surely stars are feminine and fight for what the heart craves!?

[Laz K.]

Arabian Nights...although, I don't think Shahriar smoked cigs or drank whiskey - so, maybe it's only my imagination that conjures up the 1001 nights. I'd rather not parrot the commentators before me. i could only sound redundant saying how rich the imagery is, and how dreamy the atmosphere. maybe you were a storyteller in another life in the middle east.

[emmajoygreen]

Many thanks for making such fine observations yet - at the same time, understanding the magic of a night spent on such an unforgettable plain

[Amy R]

WOW, Quite a descriptive poem, very rich imagery used, I enjoyed this a lot.

Words like "korai pai mat," "whispered," and "exotica" suggest cultural richness and an air of mystique.

Literary devices such as alliteration ("silken skin"), assonance, and vivid metaphors ("night blushes invisible") enhance the lyrical quality of the poem.

Your poem revolves around a moment of intimacy and connection set against the backdrop of the vast, mysterious desert. Capturing the blend of solitude, companionship, the preciousness of human relationships, and the echoes of history that resonate in the natural world.

Thank u for sharing.
-Amy

[emmajoygreen]

Many thanks for leaving such kind words, Amy. Is based on fact when I holidayed in Dubai; t'was a special time that remains a precious memory.

[Amy R]

Very lovely, you're welcome. I am glad we could've read this poem.

[emmajoygreen]

I told as much as I could!

[redd Brick Keshner]

An atmospheric delight teleporting the reader to where it’s at 🙏🏻🕊

[emmajoygreen]

What a wonderfully gifted review - thank you so much!

[Michael Sun Bear]

I was transported. You have taken me where for decades my heart has longed to be.

[emmajoygreen]

IF at all possible, do go, there is magic and mystery and marvel in the atmosphere.. even the camels eyes speak of ancient history! Many thanks for calling in and enjoying my words. :)

[red93]

This is fine Work again Emma, like a rich tapestry of verbal effects, highly evocative and interwoven with multiple resonances. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[emmajoygreen]

What a generous review, thank you so very much!