The Serai

Brutal winds sweep desert sands.

Baking sun dries out the land.

Uncut diamonds, such roughened beauties.

Tombs and forts, oases and cities.

Caravans pass us along the way.

A riot of colours put on display.

Travelling through markets to barter and trade.

Silks and spices, perfumes and jade.

Haggling and bidding for tea and furs,

metals and minerals, paintings and myrrh.

Incredible sights…such wondrous smells.

Array of languages, each with stories to tell.

Flashes of turquoise and inky blue.

Mosaics and tiles in dazzling hues.

Colourful domes – what splendid structures.

I marvel…in awe at the architecture.

As the sun starts to dip far in the west,

It marks the end of an enchanting quest.

In a humble Serai on the grand Silk Road.

I fell asleep, cosy, as the embers glowed.

Bio

Meenakshi Dwivedi is a doctor by profession and lives in the U.K. She finds her job incredibly rewarding and is married to a doctor as well.

She enjoys spending time with her two children and going for long walks with her dog.

She started writing during the pandemic and has found it enjoyable and satisfying. Meenakshi also like to paint in her spare time.