Summer Haze

Sapphire blue beckons beyond scolding white sand,

It shimmers beneath a mirage of swirling air,

And heat beats down upon those who dare

To venture beyond mechanically cooled places.

Towns sleep through such heavy days,

Time moves slow, curls and weaves,

Like the barest hint of summer breeze,

But the breeze here must surely be, imagined.

Silhouettes of leaves flutter, barely.

Water dares lap at burning beaches.

Cicadas call over hayed off wheat crops

Dust hangs idle over empty streets.

It has the air of a portrait still,

Imagined life, imagined laughter,

Summer haze like a memory after

Rain washes it away.

Breathe in and out like rippling water,

Dew drops coat your lungs.

Lightning scatters skies like veins,

Life falls from high above.