Desert Sun – A Poem of Faith

Arizona Desert

Staring into the burning desert sun. Desert heat
rises, sears my soul, the searching soul, seeking light.

I sink into the sand-earth, the desiccated cactus roots unable to support me.

Be not distraught. Reach out. Stand upright.

The sun drops off the edge of the world, night slips in quietly, settles,

A star shimmers.
And another.

I have journeyed long,
watched sunrises and sunsets, the ascents and descents of many moons.

Now a multitude of stars alight the heavens, milky streams of light, and with faith
I await the return of the sun.

~~~~~~~~~

This is a contribution to the poetry challenge being run by the Abbey of the Arts: Entering the Desert’s Fire.  In the invitation to share a poem Christine writes:

I invite you this week to write a poem about your own invitation to enter the refiner’s fire – in alchemy lead is transformed into gold through heat and this becomes a metaphor for the human soul.  What is the lead within you ready to be transformed into something treasured?

About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.

Comments

  1. This would have been breathtaking to see in real life, such a great moment captured. Sunsets are always some that captivate my attention, love this.

  2. Magnificent photo, Bo! That scene just naturally leads to good poetry.

  3. Abbey of the Arts says

    Bo, what a beautiful photo and your poem is such a deep invitation to be present to the rhythms of sky and earth.

  4. Joanna Young says

    Oh Bo, I just love the last few lines of this. These words in particular “a multitude of stars alight the heavens, milky streams of light,”… are deeply soothing.

  5. Such a gorgeous..warm desert image. And the accompanying words are perfect!!! So very creative!!!

  6. captivating

  7. What a beautiful desert sun and silhouette cactus scene! I love that poem… stirs deep. The part that touches: “I have journeyed long, watched sunrises and sunsets, and the ascents and descents of many moons.

  8. This is beautiful. All of it.

  9. This is stunning.

  10. Beautiful.

  11. This is a favorite, both photo and poem. You’ve a gift, my dear.

  12. I was scanning through you Southwest images Bo and this one just stopped me in my tracks. Stunning. Beautiful. WOW!

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