Dark drape scratches the ridge spine
beyond the creek great breath sucks in
small leaves clutch the ground stumble
for shelter birds cease their chat.

Hot breath spits unrepentant
grit red and wounding bows the trees
black curtain embraces heaven
stabs its feet with forks of light
delighting in the howl.

Palms cupped to the sky
we stand in the road
throats slaked in wonder
hear the tick of water on dust
tickle on dry leaves heady smell
of all our need of summer.

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Charity Everitt is retired following a career in technical writing and engineering software design and development. Her poems have appeared in Lyrical Iowa, River Heron Review, Comstock Review, Concho River Review, and Sky Island Journal, among others. Her first chapbook, Translation from the Ordinary, was published in 2023 (Finishing Line Press).

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