summer in the freezer

sidewalk steps
two by two
from the rosebush to the end of the block
the tricycle that cost a dollar
on and on
on dusty feet

she likes bugs
but only the green ones
we count the wings
we count her toes

another summer falls asleep

big fat tears of rain
explode like mini bombs
on my shoulder
on my cheek

the air smells like giving up

and like mud




we pick blackberries for the freezer