Uzbekistan Desert
by Odin Roark

How haunting
Lake Ayddrkul’s remnant graveyard
Fishing boat carcasses
Unfit for even desert vermin

From where might they have come
These vessels of commerce
Small as they were
Lonely as they must have been?

What value did they carry
Food
Contraband
Sex Slaves?

How went the lives
How ever the number?
Did Storm
Navigation
Error
Daring
Bring their castaway existence?

Drifting sands now occupy
Their cabins
Nomad insects and winged fowl
Frequent their shaded respites

Overhead drones
Governed by techno navigation
Pass unknowingly
Ignoring the why
Where
When
And how of simple life
Of partial history
Abandoned by nature
By man

Yet
Determined to survive

They remain steadfast
Awaiting tomorrow’s sunrise
Maybe a very high tide

Never forgetting
Once afloat
Now moored steadfast
Still pointed
Something’s somewhere
Only wants to be realized