A tiny dot on the horizon in the desert

Grows ever larger as eyes measure it

And, as one approaches ... a palm tree

Fills the heart with so very much glee



Assumption is made there'll be moisture

(For nothing grows in sand without water)

And so we hurry towards the apparition

Gathering momentum with no attrition



For the moment is coming, we feel ...

And as the palms wave ... our heels ...

Dig in with greater and greater intent ...

As the oasis we saw, is now slightly bent



And then we come level with the sight

As the moment erodes, and takes flight

For the palm tree existed only in our mind

And the moment recedes, leaving us blind



- Tristram



(c) Christopher W. Thomas

6:45pm Sunday, Dec. 6th, 1998