OLD, BUT STILL LIVING . . .

The deserts of Australia are a facsinating place
nights very cold, days hot, shimmering in heat haze
little rainfall, sparse vegetation, few animals survive
in harsh environment, early explorers lost their live

Some birds have adopted special skills, numbers are few
surviving on little water, sucking at plants for morning dew
some fish and frogs hibernate in tunnels underground
awaiting seasonal rainfall, if and when it does come around

In the distance a few camels, brumbies roam this land
nibling at sparse vegetation, dry, half buried by sand
a lonely dingo prowls, of human beings it's not shy
solitairy falcon circling above, looking for some prey

Hostile environment, no landmarks, very intimidating
and yet full of life, not changed for eons, facsinating
many a season has passed, some with no rain at all
many seeds laying dormant, waiting for the rain to fall

The Simpson Desert, ancient sea, dry since Gondwana land
as far as the eye can see, unrelenting expanse of fine sand
age old inhabitants, interacting elements, unforgiving
mimicking, mocking ancient sea shore, old, but still living