Heat

my temper flares up
in the heat of the moment
yet I’m the one burned
–
desert sun-
my ego buried
in the sand

ashes in the air
embers of glowing orange
peering through the flames
–
quiet laughter-
coals dying
in the night

jealous of our affections
in full view of everyone
the moon steals the sun
–
midday-
the spotlight
stolen

moving through the crowd
the air fetid and stinking
rancid in the heat
–
underground-
pushing in
before the close

out of the shadows
and into the light of day
burning in the sun
–
august sun-
wreaths of flowers
wilting by the roadside

low afternoon sun-
the play of shadow and light
against your bare skin
–
under the sheets-
between us
the midnight sun

surrounded by friends
sitting around the campfire
retelling old tales
–
clearing skies-
broken branches
new neighbors

from across the beach-
the hollow silver ring of
a turtle drum band
–
a cold red stripe-
cabana lights
gently sway

naked in the sun
draped in caribbean light
among the seashells
–
abalone-
the warm glow
of auburn skin

night at terlingua
the glow of the fire beneath
a blanket of stars
–
desert sands-
rising embers
greet the stars