THE HEAT SIGN
By Michael Neal Morris
 

Texas summer.  You have to be here

to know just what that’s like.

Each year I remember a sign

outside an old Baptist church

that read, “You think it’s hot here?”

and chuckle uncomfortably,

grateful for my car’s air conditioner.
 

But sometimes I sweat anyway.

The man on the radio

just announced the obvious:

“It’s hot out there, 102.

Now let's get back to the jazz!”

Even he can’ know

there are fires winter cannot put out.
 

That’ both good and bad.

And neither.  I guess it depends

on the source of the heat.

I know I need lots of water

and more than an occasional breeze

or else signs blur in sizzling waves.
 

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More unpublished work and other information about MICHAEL NEAL MORRIS can be found at his web site: www.geocities.com/mnmwrite