Light

chocolate ice cream
slowly melting in the heat
of the summer sun
–
amber skies-
an ice cream truck
around the corner

the fifth of July
a time for reflection on
what we have become
–
saguaro cactus-
a small sneaker
in the sand

canons and mortars-
our patriotic fervor
lights up the night sky
–
fireworks
the dog hides
under my bed

my open window-
from the red barn a white owl
asks me one question
–
transfixed-
the field mouse stares
at his death

a time of rebirth-
years spent living in the dark
rescued by your light
–
through the water
dancing reflections
from the surface

born of the mountains
falling over age worn stone
scattering the sun
–
summer solstice-
roaring water
fills my ears

in a shadow box
fragments of my broken heart
preserved and on display
–
shimmering heat-
pools of water
just out of reach

as day turns to night
the sun gives her dying light
to the mountain tops
–
mountain peaks-
aging temples
streaked with snow

the bathroom mirror-
a message written in steam
appears in your hand
–
starlit noon-
steam pours
from off the rocks

low rolling thunder-
lightning crawls across the sky
rattling windows
–
summer night-
the sky lit by
heat lightning