SUMMER IN THE CITY

**** it's hot- jeez
with no breeze
to speak of-and the windows shut
while every fan's-been seized- in the still-ness
of to breathe, there-down in  the alley-the stagnant
pause to  stay,  still, once twice, albeit one, of the spoiled
few-we are, given in to sanctify thy-self- by the created- get a grip
be  (so) delirious- (we are ) claimed by the almighty-
into seeing visions-boy it's hotter- than hot- so hot-
like an egg
cooked on the grill
of a Chevy 68"
with  a hot engine-and the cool
body-given to this climate- if you can -claim it ; here
(she) comes in with her sauntering approach- well then, where eyes meet eyes
yet no takers; no way-she says- it's too hot- with
her indignant style, not even -for money, pay for my time
and the red dress kills, anyways
and she walks on- into the dark- just an ordinary night
-as it spills out in to the late of  July-full summer sweat
the hot- it's so hot- imprinted on ones brain-no one can forget
does it matter - - as life
comes to a crawl-deep
in the bowels-of the city proper- how come- it's so hot-
no one can sleep -everyone is up- it's sweltering- here
boy is it hot- in a city that never sleeps-either way, regardless  

by Michael Perry