Triple digits today
It is a long way home
in the heat
We huddle hot and
cooling in the house
drinking chamomile and hibiscus tea
on ice
A thousand whispers
funnel through my mind
Thin the apples
Water the plants
Call the park
Cook the beans
Grill the steak
Reserve the space
Call the doc
Change the time
and walk the dog
up the lane
Even my granddaughter knows
not to get too close
as she runs free on the sand
just along the edges
of the swift pursuing tide
Wash the car
Pray for friends
Count the money
Write the check
Trim the hedge and water the lawn
and fix the timer before you do
My wife had a dream
that I came into her room
sat on her bed
and watched her like a spirit
while she slept
She said she was looking for her casket
but she couldn’t find it
So perhaps I won’t be dismayed
by these insistent thoughts but grateful instead
for the rise and fall of my familiar mind
Tell the truth
Take good care
Trust yourself
Text your daughter
Call your son
Make the date
Slow things up
Think things through
Write things down
The sun is setting
and with each degree descending
the world comes closer
slowly turning rose radiant and soft glowing
through the heart-shaped leaves of the redbud
The birch tree in the neighbor’s yard shakes
and a thousand copper-lit coins glisten
on fine trembling chains
in the raving light
No need to say it, I know
that the exhaling sun can rage and burn
I have been torched by truth and pain so hot
that tears formed new rivers in my body
and made my old dry skin soft and supple
on the inside…but still
there are days
I beg for burning
Whatever has chased me
through the heat of the day
I return each evening
caught out of time
I kneel in my heart
Through my back window
in a private conversation
light
like no other
remembers me