The ground is cracked
And baking bare
I stagger forward
Not knowing where
I head toward
This fatal day
On which I hoard
My deep dismay
My mouth is parched
My feet are raw
My head it aches
My legs are sore
My memory scorched
My arms they sting
My joints they groan
My ears they ring
I must go on
I know not how
I can’t return
Back up that brow
Where I was blazed
My body broke
My life it flashed
When I awoke
The sand is cooked
And lifeless bare
I stumble down
Quite unaware
And hit the ground
And drink the grain
And hear the sound
Of groaning pain
The sky it spins
Without the clouds
And light it fades
The darkness shrouds
And time it wades
In empty pools
Of shallow maids
And silent jewels
I know not how
Long I lay there
But that I wake
Unto a glare
A shiny lake
A golden one
And cracking ache
And reddened sun
I must be up
Ere setting day
I must make haste
Without delay
I must not waist
The final light
And chance to taste
My fill of sprite
I go to move
But I don’t budge
I try to lift
And try to nudge
I try to shift
But I cannot
Much less be swift
I’m pinned down hot
I struggle on
Avail it not
I’m here to stay
Upon this spot
My thoughts they fray
Into the wild
I’m whisked away
A beastly child
Into the night
I’m carried far
Beneath a veil
Of waking star
Into the cold
Of sweat and steam
I know not how
I hear me scream
And with a jolt
I sit upright
My eyes are wide
In gripping fright
I look about
And pant the air
In deep concern
I pull my hair
Then in a nick
I’m out the door
I call aloud
On down the hall
And bursting in
Without a jest
I see a crowd
And shout at guest
“How do you stand
”There unconcerned?
“Do you not know
“The world is burned?
“Awake and see
“The earth’s on fire!
“You must hear me
“The time is dire!”
With speechless guests
My parents stare
Their silence grips
I’m unaware
My Mother moves
Beyond our guests
“Some ice cream dear?”
My Mum suggests
With vacant face
I’m coming round
I realise
My own surround
I’m in PJs
And glowing red
With racing heart
And burning head
