SANDRA MEEK (USA)
Acacia erioloba o Vachellia erioloba
(Camel Thorn)


Burden
the body, not the beast
of light, grated
glimmer of sand, the desert’s
crowned rising: cool apron
eclipsed by noon, by tree rats
and scorpions, barbed leaves
bitter as use—fence,
knobkierie,
a place to germinate
mishearing: Kameeldoring,
Acacia of the Giraffe: 
the way I confused
tlhokafetse, died, for
tlhoafaletse,
missed, the wind no voice
without you

-----