--- by Marilyn McIntyre

Augorophobia

august

scorched lawns

trees turn brown with fright

holidays and beaches

and reparing to the cool

august

oppressive, painful despair

inside looking out

mugged breathe sweats

air of the great outdoors

cats sullen

blue jays drop their jays

crows too beat to caw

august

let me out of here

august

my mind curled like rock

drugged and writhing

soul up there at rest

in the crook of the old oak tree