alice in the desert

listen
to the slow-moving veil
dusted and speckled
whispering through space
as it keels over the earth

open your eyes
let the shapes and numbers
quiet your soul
feel the earth
under your hips
and your head
strong enough now
to support the weight
of your thoughts

lie still
the earth is
holding you
the stars marvel
at themselves
in your eyes

roll over now
see the darkness
the land
where you were born
a long time snuggled
below the horizon

close your eyes
the stars go out
the ground becomes hard
your chest rises
the land inhales

there is a lifetime
between each breath
the cold air
comes out warm
the desert is touched
and cries tears of light
and you tremor
in your sleep
a gentle rhythm
that neither the desert
nor the stars understands

it’s just your heart
hidden
in the centre
always there
always
a bit of a journey