Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DESERT BRIDE by MARY MILLER BEARD

First Line: WHEN SUNSET COLORS PAINT THE DESERT LAND
Last Line: SHE SHUTS HER EYES AND WEDS HIM AFTER DUSK.
Subject(s): DESERTS; FOOD & EATING;

When sunset colors paint the desert land
A yucca, like a pearly minaret
Peers through a mist of rose and violet
And reaches up her white and fragile hand
To where her muted organ-keys are fanned
By prairie winds, till all her bells are set
To vesper chimes for fear that Night forget
A lonely virgin on the desert sand.

Night hears the yucca bells that call to prayer
And shows to her his royal purple tent,
Moonlit and fragrant with sweet-scented musk.
He fills her bells with jeweled stars to wear
And there, with shy and innocent consent
She shuts her eyes and weds him after dusk.



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