Arizona

In an unexpected way
it came back to me
and I was there
The desert sun at my back
subtly, slowly searing
Perspiration every pore
and the fine, pale dirt,
conjured each footstep anew,
clinging to the liquid beads
One could see it,
the heat rising from stone
creating liquid trails
in the sun-bleached air
I came to the fence
bordered by creosote shade,
collapsed there willingly
with my water used up
I couldn't say how long,
but I must have slept
Quietly contemplating death
and deciding I was too weak
to fend him off
But something changed in me,
though I know not what,
for in an instant I rose
and rejected that space