Poem: Inside, Looking Out

There is a gate
set in the garden wall.
Beyond is a beautiful desert.
The sun blazes hot
against the harsh sandy dunes.
It is wild and free
the wind stirs up little tornadoes
that travel from place to place
until they are scattered and
no more.
Sometimes it rains
and the storm is magnificent
in its power.
After the rain,
the desert blooms with life.
Green grass, colorful flowers
It is oh so brief
but it is brilliant.
But soon it is back
to brown and grey
as if it never was.
The other side of the gate
has a courtyard, a richly adored manor.
Comfort on one side of the gate
hardship and storms on the other.
One is better, it seems.

But is it, really?