License Plate, Alaska - Aug. 8, 2026

July, they’re here for the heat,

a body bake, an oven wrap

their bones still bearing the chill

of winter, wanting to thaw

while the locals flee

the mid-day sun

these sledders, ice fisherman

snow scrappers, blizzard babies

are storing heat in the rivers

of marrow in their bodies

when one steps out of a car

I ask, how you like the weather?

It’s just like ours’ in Phoenix, but we

rented this car and came here to spend

the Fourth with my mom and dad

and I say

Oh, right. . . well . . . stay cool!