Linda B. Gamble

Day cracks open
its yellow yolk, spills
heat on simmering earth below.

Brown grass crackles
prickly under bare feet. Sky
pushes down, squeezes lungs,
hangs heavy upon our shoulders.

A finch dips to bathe, splashes
flashing golden wings, alights
on raspberries’ crimson crest,
warbles breakfast invitations.

Electric sword slashes
the sky, threatens
with imposter voice
of false bravado, a

single

drop

falls
sizzles.