Desert Rose - A poem

Books, for me, are magical in nature. Depending on the writer, sometimes, books can transport my mind from this reality (the reality of now) into a reality of another, plotted out by the skill of the writer.

In my journey through the pages of a creative writer who embraces varying plots in far away places, I am transported in my imagination. Often more than not I will visit with the mind of the writer to the different realms of thought and physical location (or fantasy location as the case might sometimes be) that is evoked in my minds eye with the descriptive words the writer has used.

Occasionally I may stumble across a writer who describes their own journey with vivid descriptive elements that make me feel like I am there, I am living it. Their past becomes “my now” for the duration of the book

Desert Rose is one of these books.

I read it 3 days ago and finished it in one day. It is definitely one of those precious gems you can’t put down until you finish.

When I opened the cover to Desert Rose, like a doorway into another realm, I was transported into a China of the past and ended here in New Zealand. All my senses were engaged. I wept when she wept. I experienced the prejudice arising from a nation that was being brainwashed. I observed the deterioration of the human psyche and the infancy stages of jealousy, envy, greed and unkindness that a starved psyche will breed. I felt the extremities of the seasons and experienced starvation claws in the pit of my stomach.

The writers’ style was unique, in that, inherent was a purity that words often do not disclose about a writer. Rarely embellished it was truly refreshing. Poignant and and powerful messages that can transport one into another realm so easily.

Desert Rose, is, in my opinion, a very powerful and moving book that epitomizes the strength of the human spirit.

This poem is inspired by reading Desert Rose.

Desert Rose - A Poem

The illusion of power weaves its mighty web

Concealing truths from the passage of mind

Interlaced with threads of conceit

With force and control it will bind

The web of illusion cleverly spun

Creates visions of grandiose display

The strength of which at the throne of power

Shall cause millions of people to pay

The tremors of oppression could be felt

Spreading hastily like the wind

Dividing, confusing, and deflating

The people and injuring the spirit within

Yet amongst the weeds of choked oppression

Wild flowers could still be found

In the barren deserts of pain and hard labor

A desert rose took to the ground

A rose bud she was in a meadow of joy

Basking in the sunshine of love

She frolicked and played in the newness of life

Nurtured in kindness, sharing and love

The petals of consciousness about to unfold

were stifled by the gale force winds

Forcefully controlling the change it desired

People’s freedom it did rescind

Uprooting the young from its joyful meadows

Separation became the norm

The nasty winds unleashed its power

Demanding that one does conform

In a whirlwind of confusion spiraling out of control

The rose bud wept alone

Innocence stolen, happiness gone

Loneliness and despair was shown

Ceasing not the winds blew on

entering the darkest nights of soul

Poverty and hunger infected the land

It murdered the young and the old

The harshness of life seemed twisted and cruel her

Body was tattered and torn

The cruelty of others human nature amiss her

spirit was battered and worn

the strength of courage and hope arose

In the thin veneer of her dreams

Nudging softly at her weary soul, whispered,

It’s not as bad as it seems

With the guiding hand of the magic of dreams

Her roots were finally laid

In the barren desert where nothing grows

Except dreams of a valiant crusade.

Standing still in the desert

Silence tiptoed in the surround

A gentle whisper her only companion

No one else around

The jewels of the night hung, silent in prayer

as she pondered what path to take

A weary body with a weary mind

The decision not easy to make

The nudge of her companion was gentle and kind

A subtle caress to her soul

She was at peace in the silence of her mind a

Lighted path began to unfold

The treacherous terrain of forbidden love

Tantalizes and teases its prey

It stalks the lonely hearted

Alluring an innocent youth at play

Igniting the passion of loneliness

Sparking the inner fire

The terrain promises never ending love

And all that you desire

When loneliness loses it painful grip

And innocence is bored with the game

The flames of love become dying embers

Two lovers never ever the same

She learned how to ride the winds

No matter the force applied

The inner and outer strength it grew

So too did her spirit inside

True power for me lies in the heart of every individual. It does not require recognition or praise. It does not seek to control. It is not harmful and it doesn’t use force. It does not discriminate. It is accepting, humble, compassionate caring and kind. You cannot buy it, borrow it or even sell it. But, you can share it. True power for me is... unconditional love.

Always found within the heart of every individual.

Happy sharing!