2026, Ohio River Valley Literature, poetry

Somewhere in the distance

Cicadas sing their late August song
in the sunset and rumor 
of autumn leaves. Somewhere 
in the distance gunfire 
or leftover fireworks 
from some holiday long 
diverged from meaning
to call out the fireflies
for evening watch.

forgetting the season outside

rain and Beethoven and morning coffee 
sitting in the basement
forgetting the season outside 
as long as the lights stay on

2025, Ohio River Valley Literature, poetry

hoping for an ugly devilled egg to taste test

preparing for solace among the last
of the season swimmers, drinking coffee

she is deshelling hard boiled eggs
I debate silently about digging out camping chairs-

this is how August ends. September will have its own momentum
and hopfully, there will be coffee, a pinch of pipe tobacco

and clean wool socks against the chill.