Pursuing A Desert Vision
By Hermionechochang

Hidden behind whirling sandstorms,
Beyond the amber horizon,
Lies a capital of great splendor,
Protected by the dusts of time.
Let not the harsh setting fool you,
For every desert has its jewel
Whose mirrored facets gleam
Awaiting those who dare seek it out.
Walk strong and proud,
Oh searcher of desert dreams,
Bend your back to the gusts of bitter winds
That strive to bring you down.
Cast your mind to tales of a land
Whose palace reaches to the sky
Like a devotee to the heavens
A blossoming land that laughs,
A sweet sound of life in a sea of sands.
Squinting into the blinding sun
Rub your eyes of the burning grit
And let them fall on
A shimmering sign of civilization
That dances right before you
Is it but a mirage?
No! The hazy blurs converge to form
Into that palace whose towers
Stretch into the skies.
Your worn feet pick up their pace
Dash forward, for there it is!
The city of Sakhmet beckons.

The Winds of the Haunted Woods
By xx_crying_inside_xx

The chaotic wind that wreaks of dread,
Haunts your soul, torments your thoughts,
Blows against the trees, now all dead,
Rages through the ghostly courts.

The screaming wind, ghastly to hear,
Will not leave you to rest in peace,
Speaks of doom and of fear,
Know this; it will not cease.

The wind full of hatred, befriends the dark,
It gloats and waits for its chance to attack,
Confident it will hit its mark,
Seeking to turn your white heart black.

The misty wind tries to seduce,
You see trapped figures calling you within
Unknown terrors it shall produce,
Nightmares are akin.

Deadly turmoil, utterly wild
Figures covered by their hoods.
None of these are ever mild,
These are the winds of the Haunted Woods.

Gardens of Meridell
By Songful

Sing for me of lands far-flung
Where day is free and sky is young
And castles high from marble grow
To hover over grounds below.

Tell me of the gardens there
Where zephyr flows through fragrant air
As lovely plants from grasses flower
And sturdy trees above them tower.

And of the beings to me relate --
Who lurk in shade and night await
And in cool evening dance and leap;
With moonlight glow and day asleep.

But of the others let me hear
Of princes pompous and austere
And queens adorned by silk and lace;
Of posture set and matchless grace.

Of birds that among branches dwell,
And languid peal of far-off bell
That breaks among the waning light
And grants full closure to the night.

The Dance of the Shadow Usul
By Baby_Poogles2

Tonight I tell a tale long past,
A delight that is rarely told,
Since I am classified as the unknown,
My ways are uncommon to unfold.

Slithering out of my den,
I stare upon the great, white orb,
The accursed crescent blinding my path,
It takes some time for me to absorb.

As soon as I can see,
I drift immediately into town,
Trying to spot a target,
That I can subtly bring to the ground.

Suddenly I found my quarry,
Amidst the darkness all around,
You, a stranger all alone,
Instantly I crouch down.

Slowly I creep upon you,
Your fate is sealed to me,
My chops lick daintily,
As I catwalk down the tree.

A glimpse of darkness catches your mind's eye,
You quickly glance over your shoulder,
To find yourself staring into the obscured,
The air becomes slightly colder.

Goosebumps crawl upon your skin,
Instinct fights as it screams at you to flee,
You cry out and ask,
"What do you want of me?"

The sound of my raspy voice,
Filled with eight different vibrating tones,
My eyes glare menacingly as I respond,
"I wish to eat your bones."

"You can't," you gasp,
Fear filling every essence of your being,
"I have a family to feed and tend to."
Your voice filled with such emotion and feeling.

I peer out over squinted eyes,
An odd sensation tugging at my heart,
I sigh and say, "Go to your family,"
As I turn around to depart.

I realized that I learned compassion,
And how strong love could truly be,
My morals have changed slightly since then,
However, I know that love is not meant for me.

Thus, shadow is my only virtue,
Gliding as silently as an owl,
To be with the unknown,
A lone ranger on the prowl