Howard Firkin
Don’t make the desert’s worst mistake, mistake
this beautiful oasis for a just
another dry mirage: more ash and dust.
This may be unexplained; it isn’t fake.
The heat distorts our sight, but love restores;
so trust you heart on days you can’t trust eyes—
your 3D vision never was too hot—
so trust the 1D vision we’ve both got:
accept each miracle without surprise,
accept the cool, the water, palms, the pause.

And sit with me as we restore our sight
with desert skies that darken into dream,
removed from journeying for just one night,
our stars—oasis points of light—our stars gleam.