By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
When the Joshua Trees Are Gone
How will we find our way
out of desert
when the Joshua Trees are gone?
No iconoclastic arms
reaching out of mountain passes no white flower
guiding Yucca Moths
to broken promise of land
No roots
to keep hills
from rolling into wash
No shady respite from sun
erupting
sandstorms
Just the occasional
stone chimney
blistering dry lakes
Flecks of Quartz
festering
from holes
Nothing for wind
to make a name for itself
Just a buzzing frenzy of flies
fighting over
an unblinking sky
Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).
Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)
- Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
- Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
- Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018
