... I don't know how I missed this excellent piece, Carole, but even now, listening to the deluge storming outside my upstairs, darkened window, your powers of evocation bring me central to this experience. There is a latent expectancy about this and yet, at the same time, a sluggishness suggestive of no-change and inertia. This is excellent writing, paced and controlled and I particularly like:

as shimmering heat ghosts
hovering over black top roads
in sluggish cadences


Your use of heavy vowel-sounds and shushing s's is superb! :)) xx

Bold and unique images that recall to mind and body the sweltering mid-West summers I endured without air conditioning way more than a half-century ago. Your ending lines of "darkness only covers the heat that is waiting to invade the new day" explain why I now live in a mild Southern California area. Oh how I love the day I decided to "Go west, young man. Go west."

Wonderful work, Carole.

Richard

The first line got me... I said something quite similar just yesterday so this made me smile.. Sorry it's taken me so long to read but unfortunately I have had some major issues with my eyes so my 'to do' list seems to never get finished these days.. excellent work, my friend, as you have always done... Myrna

Carole
this piece is excellently composed
awesome imagery I can picture
a hot humid dog day afternoon
in a small lazy Mid western town
Like several scenes I've had the the pleasure
Of viewing on the sliver screen
and you are that "Director"
Love & Peace be with you

William

you've captured being covered under such a blanket perfectly ...

This about sums up this summer for sure, for just about everyone! And it is really well-written.

I've heard about the heat waves in parts of the USA; can't relate at all....because here in eastern Canada it's anything but hot....we are starting to mildew though....my heart goes out to those in the heat who have nowhere to get away from it....

Anna

I HEAR THE HEAT HAS BEEN MERCILESS IN SOME AREAS...YOUR IMAGERY IS
VIVID...TO THE POINT WHERE THIS READER HAS MUCH SYMPATHY FOR YOU?...OR OTHERS UNDER ITS ATTACK. I'M IN ATLANTA, GA...IT'S HOT HERE, BUT NOT LIKE THE PICTURE YOU'VE PAINTED. WELL DONE, CAROLE, AND THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS & FAITH...
JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

Carole, Yes,it certainly has been hotter than hot
everywhere. Great poetry...stay Cool!
Always,
Deborah

Very nicely expressed Carole...well done.
fee

May a cool rain soon find you, Carole; very effective in conveying your experience. Love and best wishes,

Regis

So sorry, Carole, that you, along with so many millions of others are suffering from this terrible heat wave. Stay cool, my friend, and pray that the electricity doesn't blow.
Mark

"...searching for a stray breeze"...yes!
and you're right, night's not much of a relief;
this summer, you've been hit hard over there
and you have my sympathy.
Wonderful to see you back, Carole,
and to enjoy your excellent writing.

John

Well done, Carole. I'm happy to be sitting in front of a fan right now. You give such vivid descriptions of the smothering heat! Whew!

Connie

As always, Carol, marvelous writing of a hot topic that reminds me
how lucky I am to live within speaking range of the gulls and the
ocean breezes which I'd love to share with you. -gene.

After reading this I am happy being "dressed up in winter " on this side of the world!!
Great "climatic" offering ;)!!

Love Tinka

Carole, it's "summertime summertime sum sum summertime" and the air temperature has been high and the humidity with it. As for myself, I prefer hot weather to cold anytime. I know that in some sections of the country the heat has been a problem with some lives lost and drought conditions. Your poem relates the drama unfolding in many towns and cities. It is just marvelous to see you offer us a new poem to savor. I have missed your poetry. I bid you love and peace my dear friend. Jon Michael

I remember growing up in a small town in Arkansas. In the summertime it was hot. Sometimes records were broken. We didn't have air conditioning. I don't recall people going on and on about the heat. It was summer. We knew it got hot in the summer. It still does. Some years it gets hotter than in other years. I love you Carole, just had to have my say.

The poem was constructed wonderful as yours always are.