Compress

A milky film
has gathered its 
edges sticking to
the horizons rim
and everything farther 
than near farther 
than far away 
disappears even things
near do too
not in fog
but a haze
as though this 
mountain city can’t 
take a breath 
but just pants
the dry heat 
of late summer 
before fall applies 
its cold compress 
bringing everything down