August

In the early-now evening
the ground is hard-packed and dry
and we go out with the watering can
to keep things alive.

Open door lets the sound of
cicadas in.
We called them locusts
and their skins, shells.

Buzzsaw locust
Rattle locust
Inhale exhale through the front teeth locust

The work is hard, to justify the murder of lineage.

I walk out in the early-now evening
with my watering can.
Thoughts wash dry leaves
then surprised
by the yellow whole moon
rising from a dark margin.