It will be hot today.
Hotter than that night 
when you were twelve  
after a day at the Jersey shore
when your poor skin glowed  
red and even the fan blowing
straight on you couldn’t cool
you enough to sleep.

It will be hot today.
Hotter than that day 
when you were thirty
driving around New Mexico 
when you burned your hand
trying to open the car door
and a roll of lifesavers
melted into the dashboard.

Action Recommended. Stay inside. 
Pretend it’s a blizzard. Read 
the pile of books you’ve been
meaning to get to, cue up the shows 
you’ve been wanting to binge. 
Eat foods that need no cooking—
salads, sandwiches, ice cream. 
Go to bed early, dream of cooling rains.