Painting by Richard Sylbert
Between Extremes
by Paulette Demers Turco
Even on this peninsula, the air
hangs heavier each day. No leaf is stirred,
can’t catch the slightest ripple on the lake–
from dawn to dusk, oppressive sun. Its glare
is constant, sapping. Every task’s deferred
for days. We need some rain, for Heaven’s sake.
Humidity is thickening everywhere–
now sullen, weighted gray above. No bird
dares waste its melody. A storm could break
imminently–flood fields, the streets and tear
down shingles, wires, trees. Still, it's absurd
to wish the rain away. We need a break
from endless scorching heat. Hoping it’s brief,
I’ll pay the price it takes for some relief.
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