Drowning In Sunlight (revised)

Have I seen the sunset over dunes

Bloody red

Shimmering sands?

I have not touched desert in any meaningful way

And honestly

It should remain like this

There are so many stories told

Arid nights, a sharp edge to the wind

Kicking up dust

Bleak, scorching noons

One would drown in all the sunlight

If you could drown at all, until

Sunburnt

Exhausted

Vision warped and hazy

You find an oasis

Or surrender

And if you die

The gods come for you

Take your hand and whisk you over dunes

Not in any meaningful way

It is just the truth

As the red sands at sunset swirl

And the bitter night descends