in pensive hidden arias
the songs of rainbow trails
in the now and never of vivid clouds
carrying forth whispering rains that stings
in forms known yet heavy are hearts and thoughts
what glory for victory when sirocco hails in sunshine
and priceless reckoning hawks the bazaars of the nomadic tribes

sing me songs of azuris
find me a tent in dusty hapless dreams
for a time but not for ever for ever is never
my camel carries a heavy load I travel at setting dim
the temple gods sleep in Luxor and the Tuareg are raiding
find me in the promised land where the alchemist make gold
name me in your language but honour me not with your daggers

I fare in westerly winds
in land of two suns and fork tongues
taking cloudy covers yet a stranger to kith and kin
in all I trade by batter for in oases there are mirages too
alone and afraid I sell counterfeits and drink milk to survive
buying stories in opaque hues to gambol as sheep do just to live
in ancient lures I  pay while my heart and soul long for a true home