January 18th

I'm standing in the desert

My throat is parched, I cry no more

The sun is so cruel, the wind so fierce

I long for the oasis,

Where is it?

The oasis with the water, the shade, the life,

Oh where is it?

I'm standing in the sand,

I'm sinking, sinking

The sun is burning me,

I cry in pain,

Oh oasis, where are you,

Why can I not find you?

The sand is hurled in my face,

It stings; my tears are falling, at last, tears

My face is matted with wet sand.

I know the oasis,

The life-giving stream,

It's there, somewhere,

I must keep looking, searching.

The coolness, freshness, the oasis,

I will find it soon,

It will give me cool water,

Shade, relief, rest,

Rest at last, at the oasis.

 

~Linda Weibe