Topography of the Desert

to Mar

i 

tell me

                                                            of the desert   
 

of succulents

of their slow thirst

                                                           of the stoicism

             of what needs little

     rain

  ii

the topography 

                                                     of a space          
of the infinite
                                                                   ] present [ 

life in the sway   

of the void

                                                                        made stones 

                                             smooth surface
                                                                                    waves of what burns

                                                            with the pleasure

of its

silent 

            being

ξ

fernando xáuregui is from a blue-collar family of Mexican immigrants. From a good friend, he has taken the moniker and identity of crypto-poet. He writes, translates, and teaches in Southern California. He has been published in Fence, The Acentos Review, The Red Lemon Review, Mantis, and Dryland.