In 1993, my husband Chris and I visited Joshua Tree National Park, which I had never seen before. His mother lived nearby in Yucca Valley, so we took a day hike.

Out of respect for all the reptiles of the desert, I wrote this poem.

Wilting Daisy

The snake
Wanders through
The shaded shrubs
In secrecy

The hot sun hisses,
And the slimy
Creature crawls toward the wilting daisy,
Speaking suspicious words,
From the garden
And
Sapping its last strength.

You can order my poetry collection, including this poem, here: Reflections of My Heart.

Original text ©2025 by Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved. Image by Accuruss via Wikimedia Commons.