Sun press down till mi thoughts dem slow, Cracked lips part, but no spit waan flow. Mi ration di hope when di water run out, Whole sky empty, same way as mi mouth. No shade fi shelter, no root fi chew, Just a far-off shimmer weh mi cyaan walk to. Mi shadow lie flat, black stain at mi heel, Only dark thing near—but no coolness fi feel. Mi did pray fi di dark when di daylight sting, Never know what di night woulda bring. Last warmth fade from di sand underneath— Now mi hide both hands an mi clench mi teeth. Day waan scorch mi, night waan freeze mi, Dis dry land nah release mi easy. No well, no shelter, no shade, no stream, Just a mouthful a dust an a half-dead dream. Desert Shaman—mi still draw breath, Each cold exhale brush close to death. Till mi knees give way an mi sight turn black, Still mi crawl towards dawn wid di night at mi back. Cold crawl under every fold a mi clothes, Mi cup both hands fi cover mi nose. Moon show di ridge, but it cyaan show di way, Wind wipe clean every track from di day. Mi nearly call out when mi see someone stand— Just mi own robe caught pon a rise inna sand. Mi know every prayer, still mi voice barely sound, An no drop fall when mi bow to di ground. Dawn draw a red line far out east, Mi lift mi face fi a moment a peace. Soon di same warmth turn cruel pon mi skin— Mi survive di night; now di fire begin. Day waan scorch mi, night waan freeze mi, Dis dry land nah release mi easy. No well, no shelter, no shade, no stream, Just a mouthful a dust an a half-dead dream. Desert Shaman—mi still draw breath, Each cold exhale brush close to death. Till mi knees give way an mi sight turn black, Still mi crawl towards dawn wid di night at mi back.
