Heatwave

Raindrops splash like burgers spitting grease on grills furtive relief from simmering heat from the daily twirl of white dust Clouds part in snippets, rain battered soon stilled by reserve Blow torch hot summer reigns to make talons of flowerbeds to parch trees to brown sorrow Yet as dusk drifts in, children in clusters hopscotch embracing the burnished glow of pavement Joy that fills the margins of neighborhood streets hot, like tunnels of love Harvested hope that humid air will sift through and vanish in a neon light cool Summer's ledger of appeals an optimist's ease Feeling a rush of relief restorative when the August wind sighs like a bully out of breath Poem composed: July 30, 2020 Second Chance Contest Sponsor: Brian Strand