Summer

one flame extinguished
while another adds it’s light
to the firmament
–
eyes downcast-
black armbands
wet with rain

the sky fades to black-
another episode down
with your hand in mine
–
crisp night air-
the pleiades
overhead

searing hot asphalt-
children splash in the water
from a cracked hydrant
–
heavy branches-
in the shade
a rope swing

a thick veil of clouds-
the lullaby of crickets
sung beneath the rain
–
predawn fog-
a vixen’s cry
heralds the sun

a laboring fan-
august heat makes fonder my
memories of snow
–
summer sun-
my verdant lawn
sere and brown

long evening shadows-
the sun half hidden behind
a stand of live oaks
–
sleepless-
my mind puts flesh
on the shadows

old invitations-
coffee’s brewed in the kitchen
if you’d ever show
–
rising steam-
cozy dreams
of coffee shops

frosted azure skies-
the curves of a white dragon
taken by the wind
–
pencil thin clouds-
the ocean reaches out
to touch the sky

atop cotton sheets
the drone of the ceiling fan
keeping me awake
–
sleeping dogs-
paddle fans spin
in lazy circles

another meeting-
I know your failings so well
as I do my own
–
rain slicked neon-
another club soda
graces my glass