desktop files missing

ALL MY FILES, AND SHORT CUTS, SAVED TO THE DESKTOP HAVE VANISHED. However when I go to finder and click on desktop they are there and accessible. How do I get to view them again on the desktop,

Thanks

Surely Someone Know What Has Happened?

Have you tried a restart, or just logging in and out again?

yes, tried that.

I cannot drag any files directly to the desk top, please give me other suggestions.

Does this help?

try all the normal osx maintenance stuff... rebuild permissions, verify prefs, zap pram, etc.

For some reason they back today, I dont know what fixed it. thanks for all the suggestions.