Between the Manna & the Meat

There is shifting sand and grating rock;
Sun assaulting in searing waves
Until I cannot see,
Burning blind spots like scales;
I shade my eyes.

Horizon wavers,
Picture broken in shimmering layers,
Mirage of hope
I thought destination,
not just oases
in these long desert years.
I thirst.

Such a rocky journey to
Where?
Have I lost my way,
Scrabbling among the rocks?
I left the main road long ago
To wander this unmarked desert trail;
How can I navigate when
Even the stars are strange?

Your promises brush my sweaty brow
like kisses, a cooling breeze;
I am not alone.
Sweet taste of morning manna lingers still
And promise of meat at day’s end
Keeps me moving one more day,
One more
And another
As I stumble toward home.