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

[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.

[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!

[KWP]

This reminds me of when I slept in the desert in Wadi Rum, Jordan all those years ago. Smokey highly sugared black tea, sleeping under the stars, watching them shine then shoot. Settled under a blanket heavy enough to keeping snug so as not a slip of desert chill crept in. I was camping with an ex heroine addict from New York who told me choose your books wisely as you will only get to read about 3000in a lifetime, a delightful Canadian named Dave, my partner and the charming bedouins who liked to walk hand in hand. Great drift back into my long ago past with your words here ... thank you lovely X

[emmajoygreen]

Sharing such an experience at the time and now with you is so very, very special. We're able to share the recall of a very extraordinary and unforgetable experienc. There's nothing like it.
Stay well, adventurous, never too used to the unique and - always searching! How long have we 'known' each other?! Hug and wide grin!

[KWP]

how long ... good question ... lovely speckles of light in the very near distance you are ...

[emmajoygreen]

Smiling more than my face has taken for quite a while! Thank you.

[Lorry]

Hate to point out great line in a piece with so many, but night blushes invisible, mystical Is delicious. So much so in fact it could easily be this week's prompt for ravin' inks "you are what you eat."
Now please put down your plate of delicious wordly treatables and go get some sleepybyes.
Remember, Santa is watching!
😃 🎅 🎄

[emmajoygreen]

Sleepybyes taken and - methinks, Santa is nosey! Us girls have a tad too many lists to write this time of year!

[Paul in the Buff]

Exquisite.

The cadence and descriptions create a vivid image complete with the feelings and scents present to the reader.

And I'm off to google to look up some of the words I'm not familiar with...

[emmajoygreen]

Hope you found what was needed on GOOGLE! That words is rarely used these days.. 'that' being exquisite not Google! Thanks you so very much.