Bodies of Summer

Onto the parched flanks of the sprawling 
Olive grove opposite, the midday sun throws 
An inkling of what passes for shade 
Under each canopy of blasted limbs. 

(Though under the cover of the veranda, 
You still dare not move for the heat.) 

Slowly stretching their legs, 
The crazed thrumming incessant 
Cicadas will soon burst full-blown 
Through the skin of your teeth. 

Evenfall

blue 

mist rising 
from blue 

mountain 
hollows 

darkening 
blue- 

black 
swallows 

sky 

Spreading Paronomasia Being a Conceit

Paranoia strikes deep— 

For what it’s worth, 
Think hard when you find

The world splayed out 
At your feat. 

Elementary Subterfuge, My Dear

Out of sight, out of mind? 
Possibly, maybe even perhaps 

But just in case you forgot 
If you chance to look back, 

What you see is what you’ve got, 
No getting round that. 

Collateral Damage

This child will not stoop to listen 
To droning cold-blooded explanations 
As to why war exists and why 
There must be winners and losers— 

All this child wants is to hear 
The smallest heart beat.