I used to hear every step my soles used to burn what happened to my shoes my hat and clothes what else have I lost? what do I have left? from a dune's crest I see the ocean below cool blue fulfillment rub grit from my eyes trudge on she shimmers and smiles removes her rich silk tunic hands caressing perfect olive curves I love you, her moist lips say I am for you there is no you, I silently reply but I love you anyway forever faded memories wind-blown scent of food, of home pieces of songs I may once have known half-forgotten dreams that waft away from my fingertips I waken on my back millions of tiny silver fish slowly swirling in a black pool muffled conversations blow by my lover's whispers travelling away I next awake in midstep, in midday let me make it over this dune so that I can make it over the one after that