Heat

golden fields of wheat-
long blades of giant windmills
lazily turning
–
arid sun-
sagebrush
swirls in wind

withered autumn leaves-
not sure if he’ll live to see
another sunrise
–
desert stars-
hard and blue
in the moonlight

damp and feverish-
a restful sleep eludes me
on this bed of coals
–
noonday sun-
ice in my glass
long turned to water

I catch your eye as
we pass each other by but
you’re out of my league
–
noonday sun-
lions stalking
in the tall grass

pour me another
for I’m not yet numb enough
to make new mistakes
–
darkling beetles-
drunk on the
morning dew

warm potbellied stove-
the winter air crackles with
electricity
–
dry night air-
your touch
shocking

the wan morning light-
wrapped up in your nakedness
unwilling to move
–
your damp hair-
for now I’m
the big spoon

the last day of spring-
apple blossoms ride on the
late afternoon breeze
–
barefoot-
crab apples
in the grass

at the podium
a wool blanket wraps itself
around my tongue
–
summer sun-
snowy cotton
waiting for harvest

this fight is over
and yet I find myself still
walking on eggshells
–
fallen trees-
we drive home
in silence