It's Still Life

The Return of the Flame

I am stopped dead, clutching
a water bottle again. A hostage
to withered rivers. Burnt faces.

This scotch bonnet heat
empties my head. I will never
get used to this sort of thing.

Heat unleashed from some-
where else, and spilling on you.
A barbarous soak. Phaethon’s

set the air on fire. I dream of
stars at night and a good old
writhe in cool morning dew.

Image by Rene Magritte “The Return of the Flame” 1943. We’re under a dome of high pressure again, and it’s winding-up for another heatwave more prolonged than the last one.  ©Misky 2022 Shared with #amwriting on Twitter