Heat

a circle of flame
swirls deep inside the furnace
working overtime
–
rushing water-
the promise
of warmer feet

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

an empty porch swing-
lazy paddle fans disturb
the hot southern air
–
the forest floor-
dragonflies still
in the thick air

my head in your hands
your eyes locked on mine pushing
hard against my lips
–
ripe cherries-
the sweet taste
of your seduction

arid desert sands
old leather cracking in the
unforgiving sun
–
rising smoke-
a candle’s
last remnants

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

living night to night
afraid of my own shadow
lest I feel the sun
–
crying gulls-
a distant sandbar
bakes in the sun

thin tendrils of smoke
weave the final tapestry
of a dying fire
–
rose petals
still warm from
the evening sun

deep in the furnace
liquid glass, hotter than fire
waits for the artist
–
blown glass…
a moment
frozen in time