Dare I 
do I 
must I 
go there
can’t I
just wish 
it’s always 
the same 
miles between 
me and
my coffee 
be it
in winter 
or summer 
such are
these long
distance relationships 

And it dripped 
like a torture 
slowly and methodically 
and mercilessly dripped
drop by drop 
and by degree
it’s depth worming 
its way in
like a needle
meant to relieve 
but instead it 
covered and absorbed 
turning white to
pink to red

I’d been clothed 
now again naked
shedding shirt and 
pants like an
actor between scenes 
finding some comfort 
beneath the shower
like a wilting 
plant scorched by
the relentless sun
back to bed
to breathe and 
bask in cold 
air that filled 
my room with 
the freshness of 
Oahu’s lazy beaches 

Relief arrived 
fresh chilled 
air cold
water and 
blankets comfort
a letter 
with news
a cool
shower and 
sun once
again as
friend and 
not foe
this feeling 
of dreams
not dread
that summer 
and its 
relentless madness 
made damnation 

Today summer has
entered the chat
like a lion
whose humid breath 
smells of its 
last kill acrid
and acidic and 
not at all
forgiving and I 
a mouse simply 
looking for shade
dare to wander 
beneath its mantle 
hoping that small 
won’t be noticed 
such are the 
desperate times of 
scorching summer heat