Petra

antique rose
withered by the desert sun
thirsty for rain

Kim M. Russell, 2018

My response to Carpe Diem #1375 Petra

On our journey along the Silk Road, today we have arrived at the ancient town of Petra, a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan. Chèvrefeuille tells us that Petra lies on the slope of Jabal Al-Madbah in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah valley that run from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba.

Petra was established, possibly as early as the 4th century BC, as the capital city of the Nabataeans, nomadic Arabs who were accustomed to living in barren deserts and were particularly skilful in harvesting rainwater, agriculture and stone carving. The city is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Another name for Petra is the Rose City due to the colour of the stone out of which it is carved.