Desert Queens

By Felipe Ossa

Image Credit: Annie Schlechter (annieschlechter.com)

The Bactrian Camel

My come-hither eyelashes

and goofball roar,

my squishy padded feet

and beige fur.

They’re the tell.

What’s underneath this thick coat

and back-breaking humps.

(Two as if one weren’t enough, thanks a bunch Darwin.)

I’m built to last.

No water? No problem.

No food? I can wait.

No shade? Bring it on.

With a withering look, I shatter thermometers.

Oh and there’s my flair

for building empires

and providing milk when everyone else’s dried up nipples have just about had it.

But hey, what about a tickle every now and then?

Right there,

under the chin.

I’ll close my eyes

to disappear the cruel sun.

Bask in my recurring dream of hanging gardens,

and rain.

The Fennec Fox

Do you know how easy it is

to be a bitch when you’re hot?

I wouldn’t know.

I only come out at night,

when it’s cool,

listening for signs of supper.

I’ll eat anything

that crawls.

Don’t judge.

It's not like I have a choice.

There’s a limited menu out here.

If I were fussy,

I’d die.

Then be born again.

Felipe is a postbacc student at E3B. He's been a journalist and playwright for many years, and is now trying to figure out a second act.