it walks
on the legs of the land

through the length
of its own persistence,

sits on its shore
to watch it wilt
and breathe
and bloom

nurturing its
beating woumb.

it buries the earth
in its still-born heart

casting shadow
to the audience
of a desert.

it burns the edge
of its derelict fire
with a quiet
competing fire

and melts the sand
from its life

until it is ready to rest.