Introduction

　　The desert is a harsh and unforgiving environment, but it also possesses a certain beauty that has captured the hearts of poets for centuries. One location that has played host to many an artist seeking inspiration is the desert guesthouse or inn. These establishments are often positioned not only for the convenience of travelers but also for maximum exposure to the stunning landscapes of the surrounding desert. These desert retreats have been immortalized in written word by many poets, with their verses conveying the hardened yet serene atmosphere of the desert guesthouse better than any prose ever could.

　　

1. Guesthouses in the desert

　　Desert guesthouses have always held a particular mystique for travelers and poets alike. These oases in the middle of nowhere provide shelter, food, and drink, but they also offer a welcome respite from the harshness of the desert outside. It is within these walls that some of the most poignant and moving poetry has been written, as artists try to capture the essence of the desert experience.

　　

2. Desert Nights

　　The desert night is unlike any other, and this is something that poets have sought to convey throughout the ages. One poet who captures the feel of the desert night particularly well is Rumi. His poem Desert Night evokes the stillness and the mystery of a desert evening:

　　

1. O you whove gone on a pilgrimage - where are you, where, oh where?
2. Here, here is the Beloved! Oh, come now, come, oh come!
3. Your friend, he is your neighbor, he is next to your wall - You, erring in the desert - what air of love is this?
4. If youd see the Beloveds form without any form - You are the house, the master, You are the Kaaba, you! . . .

3. Sand and Sun

　　With sun and sand dominating the desert landscape, it is perhaps fitting that they also have a large presence in desert poetry. One poet who writes eloquently about these two elements is Naomi Shihab Nye. Her poem Different Ways to Pray highlights both the beauty and the danger of sand and sun in the desert:

　　

1. In the deserts of Sudan and the gardens of Japan,
2. from Milan to Minsk,
3. every woman, every man,
4. every race, every clan,
5. hear the voice of the holy land, the holy land.

4. The Hospitality of the Desert Inn

　　One of the most enduring themes in desert poetry is the hospitality of desert inns. The harshness of the desert makes this hospitality all the more meaningful, and poets have taken great pains to convey its significance. One such poet is Hafiz, whose poem The Guest House speaks to the welcoming nature of the desert inn:

　　

1. This being human is a guest house.
2. Every morning a new arrival.
3. A joy, a depression, a meanness,
4. some momentary awareness comes
5. as an unexpected visitor.
6. Welcome and entertain them all!

Conclusion

　　The desert guesthouse or inn has always been a place of inspiration for poets, offering both the harshness and the serenity of the desert experience. By capturing this atmosphere in their verses, these poets have created a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. Whether it is the hospitality of the innkeeper, the beauty of the desert night, or the sand and sun that dominate the landscape, desert poetry speaks to the human experience in a way that few other forms of literature can.