Harmony

Waves of heat fade the vision of the path ahead.

Smoldering steam lifts from the earth,

From the desert all others have fled.

With no other choice but to move forth.

Sporadic cacti scatter the desert floor

Among the rolling hills of the untouched terrain.

To prick the skin of the predator.

Lick their wounds and howl at the desolate plain.

Some will wander,

Escaping from safety.

Stray from the cover,

History they are making.

Others will stay when fight or flight is presented.

Pressure builds within, an effort to protect what is theirs.

Never once affected

By the trespasser's stare.

Many days pass between full meals leaves his body tired.

A trail of sand follows behind his path, grains slowly falling to the center.

Loneliness fills the vast land leaving much to desire.

Water being one, he must start his venture.

Forward he moves, side to side, alternating from east to west and back again.

Due north is the goal.

Through the land he can rightfully defend.

The intruder still unknown.

What starts as a blank canvas, the ground undisturbed.

Ready for movement of the wild and the strokes of his brush.

His tail sways creating the signature curve.

His rattle composing music giving others a deadly rush.

The sky suddenly fills with color ,

Projecting pinks and oranges of every shade.

While some wake, others fall into peaceful slumber.

Their fantasy cascades.

To most, the night brings a sigh of relief and a dive into deep dreaming.

But for him,

The sun setting is the start of a new chapter and survival of the fittest redeeming.

The shedding of the skin.

The sun replaced with an audience of stars.

They cluster together, a collection ablaze, to light the night sky.

The immense ceiling of the earth too far to comprehend.

Just out of reach, the reality too high.

Streaks fly across the cosmos

Creating a painting of light and darkness.

As the wilderness below hold their pose,

He slithers forth finding the strength to harness.

The rays of the sun peek through the layered hills

As I tie my boots prepared for the journey.

Excitement instills.

Dive into the deep end without worry.

Sweat begins to roll down my rugged skin.

The temperature rises with the heat of the sun, only becoming hotter.

The desert colors all it encompasses with a hazy sheen unbroken.

Rose colored glasses, or should I say copper.

The straps on my shoulders dig craters in my body as my boots create prints in the settled sand.

Coarse yet fine,

As if it were planned.

Balance only the desert soil can provide.

I continue my search for the animals not many understand.

Most will avoid,

Too frightened of the venom from the gland.

Many paralyze with fear or aim to destroy.

A rusted sign neglected,

Proceed with caution.

Forgo all that was expected.

The path unknown and too forgotten.

One step at a time, my mind wanders greatly.

The rising heat depicts mirages ahead.

Unknown what is real, but I see something vaguely.

Nearly stepping on an animal asleep in their bed.

Below my levitated foot is a perfect circle with diamonds on its flesh.

Glistening with the same incredible shine from the reflective scales.

True symmetry I didn't know one could possess.

Enchanted by the astonishing detail.

As if time has ceased,

A calmness has flooded the surroundings.

Difficult to imagine others view this peaceful creature as a beast.

The beauty astounding.

The juxtaposition of peace and danger.

Some view as an illusion.

The true fluidity of nature.

Harmony of earth, animal, and human.