Like water through a sieve
your thoughts trickle out,
leaving nothing as the hot summer heat
fills your head and your mouth.

Sweat drips down your back,
slack faced-
eyes glassed over-
stuck in place-
the world almost goes black;

then the tight whine of a mosquito rings in your ear,
the present snaps into focus,
raucous cicadas and oppressive heat,
the day’s beginning at your feet.