In the Mohave, Once More

In 2005, i found a book of poetry with a poem in it entitled "In the Mohave". it was published in 1917. the name of the poet was Patrick Orr. i searched for information on this poet and all i could find were two poems. no birthdate, no bio, no nothing. as an interesting and entertaining project, i decided to write something within a similar vein to the previously mentioned Patrick Orr. below is my poem "In the Mohave, Once More" written in 2015, followed by the original "In the Mohave" published in 1917. scroll down and read the original first and then back to mine and let me know what you think. enjoy.

In the Mohave, Once More

As I clamored yet again through this rocky terrain,
     I prayed the pilgrim shadow's hand would stay.
Do not fill this gulch with a flash of rain
     Washing my desires with the rocks away.

And as I rode, i saw a form serene,
     A former inhabitant who had lingered too long,
Whose bones had been blanched and carcass picked clean,
     Whose death I once felt had been cruel and wrong.

But i defy the cruelty I see!
     Hamakhaave cannot have me serene.
I follow the compass cactus through the Joshua tree
     to my love who waits beyond San Bernadine.

It has been a long journey but I am keeping pace,
     O'er the mountains, under the sun above
And I shall defeat this desert with the burns on my face
     To be united once more with my true love.


....and now, the original from 1917....

In the Mohave

AS I rode down the arroyo through yuccas belled with bloom
I saw a last year’s stalk lift dried hands to the light,
Like age at prayer for death within a careless room,
Like one by day o’ertaken, whose sick desire is night.
And as I rode I saw a lean coyote lying	5
All perfect as in life upon a silver dune,
Save that his feet no more could flee the harsh light’s spying,
Save that no more his shadow would cleave the sinking moon.
O cruel land, where form endures, the spirit fled!
You chill the sun for me with your gray sphinx’s smile,	10
Brooding in the bright silence above your captive dead,
Where beat the heart of life so brief, so brief a while!