Too much sleep to believe fireworks come twice a year.
Wish for the darkest night of human life tonight
through blinks, light bleeds as nettles dig
in flip flop heels before taking thorns home.

Summer burrs burrow, eyes lock with bitter stars.
Braces stain teeth to charred briquet legs.

Best not believe in heat, it’s here for us all,
fire for those below waiting on explosions to chase
shade under seats to the suffering of sticker arms,
rattlesnake seeds, hot dog bites spit from bit lips.

Believe fireworks can do anything but fall
as we will
never glance down, never see where we are.

Rarely do our explosions die alone
as we do
not whisper if this is summer’s funeral.