My Friend’s Desert

I’ll watch over this desert for you, my friend;
Go about your day.
Wash the dishes, fold the laundry.
When you need, come and stay.

But don’t you get comfortable here, my friend;
Danger lurks in the still.
If you want to survey the land,
Do so from your windowsill.

Get yourself gone, my friend;
Find a different afternoon.
Keep the dogs cool,
It is a fool’s errand to take a broom to a dune.

Do not water this graveyard;
It’s already too far gone.
One day it will be but a vista,
Another feature in your lawn.

Now, don’t you worry about dragging sand
Into the gardens of your loved ones;
We can move the flower beds,
Pretend we’re at the beach.
Ignore the neighbours,
They are crabs
And seagulls prone to screech.

I’ll fetch us some bottles,
We can barbecue,
Or even sit in silence,
Until our eyelashes catch the morning dew.

The nights are much colder, mate;
Pull on a sweater.
They might be worse when we are older,
But we will grow warm together.

So let us build the fire pit
With twigs and things
We won’t mind watching burn;
If we are to take the heat,
Let us do so on our own terms.

I’ll watch over this desert for you, my friend;
It’s late, go get some sleep.
Make sure to treat the redness,
Don’t let it burrow deep.

No need to count the grains like sheep,
Not any more.
I am here, and if you want,
I’ll rest a pillow on the floor.

If you need to rain or thunder,
Cast your rage into my sea.
Don’t carry it to your bed,
You’ll only capsize in your dreams.

When you rise, take your time, my friend.
Go for a walk or stay in late.
Fix yourself some breakfast,
Run a bath, or at least hydrate!

Keep yourself busy, my friend;
Head to work, take a vacation,
Buy groceries, watch a movie,
Read, or turn on the PlayStation.

Do whatever you have to do;
Drop by the bar or light a smoke,
Be unhealthy, be unruly,
Yell at your own folk.

My collarbones are yours to break;
Go on. Lean your weight.
Devour it with your tears;
Bash into it your hate.

This desert will not follow you;
I will not give it room.
Let it lash and hiss and spray;
It will learn to fear my broom.

I’ll watch over this desert for you, my friend;
You kept my violent sea.
Go on about your day.
I love you dearly.

And when you are ready,
Open the door.
We will cross this desert.
Hell, we’ll tame a thousand more.