Mirage

Infinite, stretching land,
that glitters in the searing heat,
clashing to form an ocean of sand;
sun rays fall as continual sleet
The swelter is unbearable, the sand like gold,
vigor escapes, leaving her fatigued and old,
the dunes are incandescent- every rolling fold
shimmers with sunlight so unforgiving and cold
Thirst gnaws at her throat, parched and dry,
her path is infinite, seeming never to end
She glances helplessly at the crystal clear sky
which is a pale blue and azure blend
She cuts through the air, weak and frail,
leaving behind a wavering trail,
exhaustion has left her countenance pale,
she swerves with the weakest and mildest of gales
And then suddenly, inexplicably, in her heart,
hope blossoms like a bud- intense and strong,
a steady, consistent path she begins to chart
Hope, instead of wind, carries her along
Sustenance, she sees, right before her eyes,
cool, invigorating- towards it she flies-
a tiny speck against the unclouded skies
too naive to comprehend this deceptive guise
Her throat pounds, water she craves-
the refreshing, life-giving Adam's ale,
longing crashes like stormy waves
falling prey to nature's gale
Yet she can never reach it, to her despair,
as she combats the sun's relentless glare
Even as she feels closer to the moistened air,
it's as far as before, all the way over there
It's sparkling blue, a tantalizing source of pain,
to the weary creature, its unnatural and absurd,
but her effort and optimism are all in vain-
towards the mirage, flies the bird