Some of the best poems you'll read - Perigee

"Late Summer Afternoon in Southern Kentucky"
by Chris Michalski
in the backyard hang two yellow towels
on a rusting wire, harassed then
abandoned by the wind. in the corner
of the garden the geraniums are fading
or have faded, their wilted heads
reflecting the soft obstinacy of all living
matter. this is where you are—where
the colorlessness of the afternoon makes
the heat that much more unbearable.
where waiting inspires a lustful
reverie you're almost unable to resist . . .
later on you see the twilight reach its
pained climax on the aluminum foil—
laced windows on the other side of the street.
a stray dog goes on with his business
in the alley, in his ignorance enormous
and self-possessed. suddenly there's hardly
any light left at all. the remains of the
day's monotony settle on the burnt lawns
and neglected flower beds. like everyone
else i give up hoping for a sign or
visitation, peace or a little relief, swallow a
half quart of whiskey on the front porch
gulp after painful gulp.
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