The sun beats merciless
on all heads.
Buses splash
all passersby
when the gutters flood.
Sometimes I wish for a circle of shade
within the blinding sun.
Sometimes I wish for a finger of sun
to massage my neck.
To squeeze my shirt
and find cool water in the desert heat,
or wrap myself in a coat that stays dry
in all a world of wet.
Do not head the wayfarers' prayers,
the high priest declares.
But some days, some moments
I so wish You would.
All day long, humming menace.
Distant drilling, or is it a drone?
The walls shudder.
I wait for night. Try
to breathe. Suck on chocolate
I bought just for me.
Till my daughter wakes crying
she's scared. Why
are you scared? I ask.
As though the earth's
maw isn't full of fangs.
Dont be angry, she says.
Just scared, she says.
Stay next to me,
I rub her back.
Whisper I'm here.
Like I can create that cacoon.
That one safe cave
in the murmuring dark.
