a villanelle
*
Deep beneath the desert flows a secret stream -
water is elusive, it must be divined -
in earth's hidden cisterns, little fishes gleam.
Dust-encrusted gardens share a thirsty dream,
haunted by lost rivers nobody can find -
deep beneath the desert flows a secret stream.
Wells of the Moganee freshen and redeem,
but beware the adders Kismet has confined!
Beneath the feet of nomads, silver fishes gleam.
Water's secret agents infiltrate as steam -
penetrating intrigues, loosen tongue and mind -
deep beneath the desert flows a secret stream.
Water sends its envoys to hamam, harem,
circulating freely where the shahs reclined -
in the hidden cisterns, gilded fishes gleam.
Mirages promise marvels where heat is extreme;
water floods time's wormholes, artfully designed;
deep beneath the desert flows a secret stream -
in its hidden cisterns, little fishes gleam.