Heat Lightning

The night is shattered
by heat lightning, soundless violence.

Forks of brilliance spring from cloud to cloud
while dryness hangs like curtains between.

The night is shattered
waiting for thunder to piece it back together
for darkness to stitch itself whole
for rain to dissolve the bright edges.

The night holds its breath
in jagged sepia.

The night is shattered
by a stroke that doesn’t fall. Shattered
by the fear of a stroke.

Tense restless air
and leaves moving without relief
waiting for thunder.

The shattered night begs for rain
like a heart for tears.

Available! High-Voltage Lines, Knocking from Inside