Goodnight to the rogue firework

Shot by supposedly experienced teenaged boys

Spreading the stench of sulfur in the lake air

Spiraling towards the porch

Screams of hyper children and tired parents ringing

Thank goodness it did no damage

Except to that elderly woman’s shirt.

So long to the ever-present suntan

Frequently sunburn

Stretching my skin even tighter over the bone

Like my body is squeezed into the clothing of a small child

Despite application of 110+ sunscreen

Several times a day

Only soothed with mega-concentrated aloe

Which stings my eyes just after opening the bottle

Bought overseas,

In a sketchy gas station.

Until next year to the sweetest pleasures

Of ice cream on the beach

Scattered with chunks of red velvet cake

Nearly too frigid to eat

But quickly softened by the waffle cone

Cooked just moments ago

In the window of a shack,

On the side of the road.

Farewell to the sweltering heat

Of a scalding, sticky, fifth-floor dorm room

Lacking the modern luxury

Of air-conditioning

In the midst of a Boston heat wave,

After both comforter, sheet, and pants are discarded on the floor,

Trying to sleep to the rhythm of two giant box fans.

Then giving up when the sun starts to rise.