I walked down the bed
was yesterday’s rising –
the creek sits in stillness
ten feet below
and waits for redemption
a sky filled with shudders –
tears bringing heaven
to save us again
falling the sorrows
stained in the passing –
burning my feet
with the pangs of goodbye

thirst keeps me begging
dreamed of an ocean
and seas without ceasing
I go there each night
as the paper is peeling
and windows sweat demons
crickets come in
by the way of the floor
nightbirds are crying
faith to willows
don’t fall (I will catch you)
before the moon rise

slow now the dancer
of gypsy to yellow –
as petals are folded
in prayer to the day –
deliver us whole
from the heat of your passing
drown us in loving
tears to our pain

Author’s Note: Yesterday, Nashville was the hottest place in the United
States, breaking a previous record from 1952. It was 109. When I left out
for lunch (even though I parked in the shade), my car was reading a temp
of 122. The earth cracks beneath the stare of the sun.