Desert in Bloom

As the heroes of the dawn

drove the host of darkness 

into the deepest nooks

and darkest crannies, 

Fiery flags

flew far and wide,

Purple-gold pennants

appeared on all sides.

Soaring silks

of scarlet and crimson,

Weather-might whirled

in waves over winds’-way.

The desert bloomed;

the dry land blossomed;

The barrens yielded

to bright flowers springing.

Sleeping seeds

swelled and arose;

From dormant dust

rose a dazzling dance.

The mother of the Titans

was mantled anew,

In a rainbow of hues,

from the red dunes leaping.

The golden-brown

shone green and blue,

Scarlet sands

glistened silver and jade;

Pallid shrubs

shimmered purple and golden:

Multiple colors

in motley array,

Together gleaming

in glorious profusion.

Sweetness and spices

scented the air,

From yucca-flowers

and younger plants sprouting;

Cacti played

upon curling trumpets,

Thorn-bushes bloomed

in thronging spires.

Birds, bats, and butterflies

burrowed into blossoms

And pulled their heads free

pollen-covered.