I am riding on a camel, my mouth is dry and longing for water.
Nothing but sand surrounds me.
Everything is quiet, except for the beat from the padded footsteps of the camel.
I am where there are longer days than night, with the everlasting heat of the sun.
Only carcasses line the scorched sand. Yet, I trudge on in search of life.
Circling vultures wait for death to overtake us.
We do not care, the camel and I for we know life is somewhere.
The camel staggers on, showing no signs of exhaustion, but I on the other hand,
Am tired, sticky and can feel my stomach telling me that I need water.
But water is nowhere. It is nowhere to be seen. Only endless sand dunes move gently in the heat.
My eyes droop. I can feel the weakness of my body slowly taking over.
But something makes them open. Something shimmery and refreshing.
Can that be water, or am I dead and in glorious heaven?
Uncertain, I push the camel onward in the direction of the deep blue lake.
I can already feel the cool, clear liquid trickling down my throat and into my groaning stomach.
But wait! Where is the lake disappearing? No please don't leave me. Not before you quench my thirst...
It is gone. All that remains is the unending sea of sand.
I am riding on a camel, my mouth is dry and longing for water.
Nothing but sand surrounds me.
Everything is quiet, except for the beat from the padded footsteps of the camel.
I am where there are longer days than nights with their everlasting heat of the sun...
Yet, I trudge on in search of life and probably will be forever.
Sinead Feeney
Vancouver, B.C.