Night in the desert

a tall kerosene lamp stands guard over us
rugs laid out under the overhanging rock
strong, sweet tea to welcome us
portions bigger than any of us can eat
camels trodding past
moon, rocks, sand, stars
absolute silence

the beautiful children
my sister's voice lilting on with a bedtime story
Hannah tiptoeing in her pink footed pajamas

the moon coming over the rocks
quieting down for bed
clean face and feet

to sleep in a Bedouin camp
we dream of Arabia
no longer mysterious to our children