Harsh - sweet land of contrast <br />not mine although you hold <br />me forever - pallid, <br />enchanting where time molds <br />tall sand mountains casting <br />welcome shadows - sharp - strong <br />drifting imperceptibly <br />they steadily inch along. <br />Leafless plants struggle to root, <br />flowing sands pattern - blend - <br />small gnarled shadeless trees twist <br />as relentless winds bend. <br />Brief rains unlock dormant <br />seeds-fragile blossoms burst <br />in vibrant fluttering waves <br />till withered by desert thirst. <br />Bedouin survive in their <br />uncompromising land - <br />still unaware - below, <br />imprisoned in sea of sand, <br />Allah's precious gift waits - <br />restlessly "black gold" lies, <br />while high above stalking, <br />a keen-eyed falcon flies.<br /><br />Jeannette U. Carter<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/kingdom-asleep-saudi-arabia-before-the-discovery/
