Bloody Summer

No nihilism today.

Yes, it’s hotter than hell,

But it’s bloody summer

In Tennessee—not a

Denial of a larger truth,

Just recognition of an

Old one. The clouds

Are rising like sourdough,

Slowly filling the pan

Of sky with lumps and

Clumps and bumps

Of silver-white-gray

That may, if we’re lucky,

Come crashing down

In a fury of thunder and

Rain that bring the

Temperature down

With them and ease the

Threat some errant

Rocket may, tonight,

Pose. For there will be

Rockets—it’s bloody

Summer in Tennessee—

Loud and, one hopes,

Inconsequential (no

Nihilism today), as I

Try to convince the dog

She is safe and myself

That we will weather

The weather somehow,

A pill for us both

Before bedtime.

7/4/2024