You can survive the cultural desert
take it slowly, like the camel
or the turtle - poke your head out
from time to time

Develop a dry wit
you're not the only one missing civilization,
the great library of Alexandria,
Palmyra, the Summer Palace

Play in the sandbox that you know!
Think of Rommel the desert rat;
you can lead the world
a merry dance.

Disenchantment! you don't know the word
every oasis that turned out a mirage.
Remember, even in Plato's republic
poets survived under the radar.