relieve me of this darn heat
this late Indian summer
for the rice is so long
un-shucked and unshaken
on the walk we have taken
the one where wooden planks wind
along Virginia wetlands
relieve the cats
for they are still clawing
at the last flea's hatch
feasting on their fur
early pumpkins are melting
sitting plump on the porch
their carved out smiles sag
reminding me of grandmother's pout
on her hospital bed
left side half dead
wipe her brow now
with the coolness of an autumn sunset
