Travelers in Life

students of life
on a well worn dusty road
through the expanse of dry clay
baking, the sun descends
incompassionate on the heads of the travelers

they search for freshwater
they search for round rocks, pebbles
they search for a stronger cup
from which to sip the wealth
riches and abundance talked about
from adventurers whose souls
have treaded that clay road

learners in life
sitting anxiously under a piece of shade
sprinkled by the Mesquite
stringy with thin branches and sparse leaves
the traveler sits on a rock
small child holding tightly
others hug the shade as a loved umbrella
they gaze across the blazing desert
sky blue, pale with high fluffy clouds

the heat intense, every creature hides
the sun shimmers
flecks of light bounce off
sand undulating on desert ground

seekers of life
twinkles of stars, the milk way spilled with a splash
deep darkness surrounds
laid on the warm sand
fresh breeze currents above
flickering the small leaves on the Mesquite

the ground is firm but sand is soft
their bodies sink onto the Earth
coyote cries out, while the swirls of light
beams gently down upon clay
time, waiting for the moment

illegals to life
absconded in the dark, pungent
cavern of a rusted truck
rough engine rumbles
gasoline fumes into nostrils
heat envelopes skin
bodies push onto each other
sweat rolls down faces
while sticky legs adjust
jostled, tumbled, bumped
as the engine belches forward

the sun bakes outside
the heat steams inside
quiet cough, funky smells
hours pass, sleep doesn't come
hours pass, freedom doesn't come

ice cream, water, apple, father
sister, tree, freedom
money, honey, love, freedom
illegal, servant, cloud
someone get me out of here
god....
open, take a breath
hot day, clear sky
illegal, new day