Summer Night

Moonlight flows down from the sky like milk, The stars burn holes into the darkness, Their patterns take shape and I collect them, I trace them with my fingers, Their unnatural names dance on my lips, Shadows skitter across the grass, And mutate into monstrous forms, Ready to swallow me up, But I’m safe, Because I’m under the light of the moon’s florescent skin, Tucked securely under the Earth’s nightlight, I hear insects chatter from the trees, And wonder how such ugly things can make such beautiful sounds, I hear the crackle of thunder moving towards me, The frogs begin to croak in recognition, And I feel the rain start to fall, The cool water feels luxurious in contrast to the hot, sticky air of the night, I let it run down my skin, And soak my clothes, Lightning flashes golden with razor sharp lines, It’s jagged bolt strikes a tree with enough power to jar my teeth, It splits and chars its flesh, Fear jolts me like electricity and I run inside, laughing at myself, Our old screen door swinging behind me.