dusty desert sun
bakes beaded lizards blinking back
at my confuddled gaze
regarding pale peachy skin,

once praised as pretty,
as utterly unsuited
-ugly-
in their arid acres

but in my own so human way
defying adaptation
I shall make a home here
among the reptiles

fooled by my facade
they will soon see
I wear my scales and spines hidden
in my inner desert

The desert is for survivors