Heat Wave

Contributor: Linda B. Gamble

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The day cracks open
its yellow yolk, bleeds
heat to simmering earth below.


Grass crackles, prickly
brown on bare feet,
dew a distant memory.
Sky pushes down,
squeezes lungs, hangs
heavy upon our shoulders.

A finch dips to bathe, splashes
flashing golden wings, takes flight
to raspberries’ crimson crest
warbles breakfast invitations.


Midday, light show splits
the sky, rumbles resonate
with false bravado, a
single

drop

falls
sizzles -

earth sighs.


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