Heat Wave

A day in the midst of misery

Heat Wave

Ajax, the old yard-dog, shakes his head

to dislodge flies and a layer of dust

Heat hangs in the air,

a solid doorway with no way out

Mosquitoes zip and zing,

searching for a bit of flesh with

ruby nectar

A  shuddering fan blows over a bowl of ice

to keep the baby cool 

beneath the cradle netting

Women cry

Men throw things

and mutter under their breath

The thermometer is center-stage

displaying its obscene numbers 

to eyes that are blistered

In their sin, they pray for relief

from the blanket of wool

that holds the earth hostage

August...dog-days that even the dogs

pray will stop soon

Will it yield its relentless agony?

Not yet

Not before the nights go on 

and become jagged teeth

chewing on the soul

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Talk about creating an atmosphere. Had to crank up the AC after reading this one. Can't believe it gets this hot in Portland. New Orleans, maybe, but not Portland.