Lost on the Sahara

 

Lost on the Sahara

If I had a map and compass

I’d know which direction to go

escape the endless dunes and heat

from this desert that’s swallowed me whole.

I must conserve my energy

for survival I must apply,

the sun is bearing down on me

and canteen’s entirely dry.

Waves of heat obscure my vision

and there’s a darkness taking form

that looks like something’s coming

amidst the gathering storm.

A dragon’s fire, scorching hot

flies in on the winds of the west

a sand of fiery pellets

that burns my face and my chest.

The sandstorm came in an instant

and was gone as fast as it came

while flaring sun returned with heat

with surroundings no longer the same.

Out of the sand stood a pillar

grey marks etched deep on its side,

with map to an ancient city

that served as a traveler’s guide.

I dug to follow the markings

and came upon sealed door,

removed the sand that blocked it

that displayed a large granite floor.

The way inside this cavernous rock

glowed white where a staircase was seen

so down I went into the earth

where the air was cool and pristine.

A roaring sound caught my mind,

an underground river was near

I managed my way to its edge

and saw that the water was clear.

I drank what the desert had stolen

submerged in tranquility

such cool relief from its water

in this place of antiquity.

And there in the liquid’s reflection

three tunnels moved underground

carved in a bedrock of granite

with statues of Thoth further down.

I gathered my thoughts and excitement

remembered that I was still lost

returned to the post of markings

to a map of figures embossed.

I recognized a few landmarks

on this map of the river Nile

which showed the place I was standing

way back was less than a mile.

“Follow the belt of Orion

due east on the Giza plateau

from there you’ll regain your bearings

and this story that needs to be told.

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