Desert clean
Purified by the sun's gleam

Sand . . .
in my eyes , nose and mouth

Temperature rising
as I head South

The unbearable burdens
thrown aside

I stumble on
trying to survive

No compass to bear
the sun will show

The choices I made
the resounding No's

Will be purified
Buried in sands of gold

Piece by guarded piece,
My heart that had been tethered
And tossed into the depths of the tides,
Ascended to the surface
And joined yours to watch the moonlight.

The warmth of your touch,
And the soothing sound of your beating heart
Claimed me.

Every smile that graced your lips
And each time you tenderly took my hand,
You unlocked something buried.