Heat

her worn threadbare coat-
piles of bread crumbs spread between
the bird lady’s feet
–
a park bench-
sparrows land
on my shoulder

white flecks of sea foam
spraying off the ocean waves
and the rising tide
–
onshore winds-
smell of salt
and the sea

out with the mistress-
his rose garden wilting in
the seething sun
–
my delicate rose-
thorns buried
in my skin

such oppressive heat-
my sleeping cat slowly drips
from his windowsill
–
shimmering sand-
false promises
in the distance

gathering pollen-
down among the lavender
the honeybees work
–
august sun-
on the pond
the lotus blooms

a secluded beach
the plundered pirate’s chest lay
empty save the sand
–
flood tide-
sandpipers
brave the surf

a beer in my hand
cut grass drying on the lawn
as the clouds pass by
–
muted laughter-
steaks sear
over glowing coals

to ease your burden
I’ll stand by your side a while
and shoulder your load
–
distant clouds-
fences in need
of mending

an aging lighthouse
stands sand blasted and buried
by the walking dunes
–
frigid winds-
the predawn
desert frost

reeds and rushes-
a warm tide ebbs from the marsh
and runs to the sea
–
sea glass-
walking the beach
at low tide