just the mention of the heat
starts conversations
that lead to lawn problems, vacations,
and how the kids are doing at home
the grass is blond and brown now
the tree leaves show the stress
now tired, they fall
in anticipation of autumn
school’s back in session
the streets fall quiet during the day
it’s a good time to sit outside
in the sun and sweat
it’ll all be over soon
and we’ll huddle in
against the gray winter
our lives confined
