The morning opens like a love affair,
the accidental touches
of air on leaves, an almost
imperceptible trembling, and then
the shy glances of sunlight through branches.
The heat builds as the day goes on,
shimmering, demanding,
impossible to escape or ignore.
Remember the heat
of that long-ago summer
we spent in Istanbul and Tehran,
and how it suited us?
The air filled with the scents
of roasted meat and honey,
the sonorous calls to prayer,
and the sing-song calls
of the watermelon peddler.
Would our fire have,
eventually,
burned us both
or worse,
cooled to nothing?
Our paths diverged.
We found cooler partners,
and different landscapes,
and went on with our lives.
And yet,
the shimmering heat
from that other summer
lingers still.
Karen Redfield
Poet’s Comment:
Some memories are like an unexpected visit from a dear friend who has moved away. Despite the miles and the years apart, you find that your bond has not been broken.This poem reflects such a wishful reunion.
Judge’s Comment:
The opening line is goof. The specificity of the second stanza is wonderful. Keep working on this one! Maybe trim a few lines that don't add to the story.