After the Nap

It's a flat summer day
   the sun pushes down hard
      so it squeezes the color and
         the juice out of everything

Her body lies between me
   and the small attic window

It's hard to breathe in here
   between the heat of the roof and
      the warm dark curve of her side
         she is turned toward the window

"Lie still," she says. "Go to sleep."

            Tonight it will rain

When the window is dark
   sharp jagged lightning will flash
      outside the screen
         where mosquitoes come and go

Loud claps of thunder will crack open
   the sky like an eggshell
      
            I might be able to see through
               into morning!

Big fat splats start
   to pat on the roof
      gradually increasing
         comforting in their irregular melody

Thunder gone
   lightning gone
      the roof is slowly
         stretching and cooling
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Sambourne Avatar
November 11, 2022 at 7:59 PM
Your opening personification of the sun pulls the reader into your poem with further riches like the simile "..thunder will crack open the sky like an eggshell." The cooling evening + rain certainly take centre stage in this fine poem. Be well. Brian
Ashford Avatar
October 28, 2022 at 10:52 PM
A most vividly painted poem, tactile and the felt sensations of the lines when nature breaks open the heat to release the malaise is most convincing.
Fowler Avatar
October 28, 2022 at 12:27 PM
Thank goodness for the cooling rains and roofs. Having grown up where the breeze forgot to blow, I can relate. Marvelous imagery and formatting and the beauty of your words fall easy on the ears. :)
Mccann Avatar
October 28, 2022 at 2:11 PM
Just what I was trying to say, Linda; that fir cool breeze is heavenly! And I love those wet sounds. Elizabeth
Poet Avatar
October 28, 2022 at 10:01 AM
Elizabeth, the imagery you portrayed is amazing, and the rhyme you created is well put together. Your poem is really fantastic. Another layer of stunning beauty has been added to this writing by the way in which your carefully chosen words flow together with the excellent metaphors.
Mccann Avatar
October 28, 2022 at 2:06 PM
Sotto, your comments are so helpful and kind. Our poetic side is so open and vulnerable, it flourishes when fed, soars when befriended. Elizabeth
Buhagiar Avatar
October 28, 2022 at 12:59 AM
This is a wonderful poem. Loved the imagery you described.
Mccann Avatar
October 28, 2022 at 2:08 PM
I'm so glad you liked it, Victor. Nice to hear from you. Elizabeth
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