Linda B. Gamble

The day cracks open
its yellow yolk, bleeds
heat to simmering earth below.

Grass crackles, prickly
brown on bare feet,
dew a distant memory.
Sky pushes down,
squeezes lungs, hangs
wet and heavy upon our shoulders.

Midday, light show splits
the sky, rumbles resonate
with false bravado, a
single

drop

falls

sizzles

earth sighs.