HEAT
mid-July in California
dry, hot shade.
On the ground a dozen oak galls,
Bleached to ivory, traces of yellow ochre,
Ink-brown.
Spider web spans the braces of a bridge
Over a creek bed, no water tumbling through
Even the web looks dry.
Buzz saws instead of running water,
Two 70-year old pines coming down.
Broken skeleton of a vine
Clinging to a chain-linked fence
In the distant haze, Mt. Diablo,
Yellow and fire-crisp.
Iron Horse Trail
In the heat of July -
In the heat of July -
California’s winter:
Only yellow and red cherries
Burst with life.