May 15, 2023 - “Summer, Mostly” by Rahil Najafabadi

Summer, Mostly

I’m happy now because the cold quiets
are gone. Even when we sit in the shadows
on the cool ground, a warm wind will always
be sweet. I’m thinking of how to be honest
in the presence of salt, prone to being broken
into our own people. The flowers are ready
to be cut away from damp housing––How come
you are not? The color from my childhood fish
has faded, but it is still alive. So is this seasonal persona,
sometimes. Especially when it is summer, mostly.
I figured my touch became familiar to the trees,
perhaps they say my name in passing. I don’t know,
I think they do, often.