storm sewer stretches round & ribbed
underground, light caught in a smaller
ring down the length of this larger
one in which i fit, crouched, i

creep forward, echos of amphibians’
voices welcoming me into their own 
temporary reprieve, algae

moist hollow, August heat overwhelming
pedestrians on the sidewalks but we
below whisper cool reassurances
 that summer will not enter here to force
 either one of us to have to choose a side