On a wing and a prayer,
the sound of feathers and wind roar,
as it dives toward the ground,
yellow talons outreached.

A brown streak runs into crispy tumbleweeds,
and darts in and out of desert dunes,
seeking shelter with a squeal,
as death drops from above.

Small turmeric colored flowers,
grow in bunches surrounded by halos of green,
attracting, but dangerous,
thorny burs to puncture feet.

Black and brown scorpions,
hide from the blistering heat
under rocks and vegetation,
lurking, waiting the opportunity to sting.

The desert is a dangerous place,
as the rattlesnake leaves a trail
across the red-brown sand,
and disappears in the blowing dust.