New Tales of the Gobi Desert
Chinese International School, Yvette Homerlain, Poetry: Group 3
Trudging through a desert huge,! no comfort, home to take refuge. Know how to read the map
or sky, or in the desert you’ll surely die.
Ten days ago a prophet said
“Prepare for you, now a coffin bed,
for despite your hopes and your belief, this journey is to bring all grief.”
No warnings to you can persuade you go by your business bade.
To trade, you cross the desert dare, but you will never make it there.
Now company, but two camels left, others lost or gone by theft.
Yet another falls in second night, felled by lizard’s poison bite.
Still walking on with little hope,
you cannot die: continue, cope
Do not look back, though sick at heart, you’re but at your journey’s start.
Now last camel forever closes eye, do not despair, no time to cry.
Take your bags and carry on,
no point weeping for what is gone.
The Gobi at its cruel best,
now sends you another test. Through the rising wind and sand, you suffocate at the desert hand.
Storm is forcing you to bend,
beware, if you break, you’ll never mend. Mark your breath, and seal your tomb
in the desert, meet your doom.
Trudged part of the deserts road,
optimistic, with your traders load.
However, now at home they weep,
for you’ll stay with the Gobi forever, in endless sleep.
