MIDSUMMER ON THE SHORES OF AMERICA

As soft and warm as breath, the morning
winds itself up – trucks rumble
down the street, cargo intact
all is sunlight, and the bright green leaves
of midsummer. Along with the lattes
and the bleary eyes, there is a fellowship
of getting things done. Some will
of course, make things happen and some
will just get through the day –
at the end of it, the streets radiate
tired disgruntled waves of heat
coupes fight their way home
trucks rattle empty – yes we
got things done; the planet is warmer
and we have more, we are drowning
in the America of more. But I know
what to do about it - in the warm
summer evening, I’ll hie down to
San Quentin beach and slide in
to the cool, under the rushing bridge
where the city gleams like a fairy gem
in the watery distance.

Alyse Rall, June 18, 2007