Vampire of Light - June 8, 2024

in the absolute peak

of the summer world here

heat hunts for lives

like a vampire does

in his kingdom of night

like that dark parasite goes for blood

daytime is moisture-sucking

so the living hide in shadows

watch the sun crawl with menace

through the long days

and cross through light

quietly  quickly  to reach

other islands of cool darkness

this is the time of year

when to linger out too long

comes with consequences

we see it from our safe perches

watch the slowing of legs

the stoop of a body

the foolish grin that’s

really a grimace  drying

in the fangs of the sun