Sahara Sand

Wind-borne sand hangs in the air.

These dry clouds hide the local town,

the Sierra and the sky's cerulean blue.

Rain or a wind-change will rid us

of the dust, carried here – perhaps - with

gunpowder from Fez

or kíf ash from Marrakesh.

If clouds burst and rain red mud,

gutters and streets will run dirty

with litter and the town's promiscuous waste.

It has no name here but dust,

though they do call the adherent wind

Calima, Africus, or - in jest -

the stern-wind of Phoenicians.

audio here