avoiding christmas in july

in this case
rain is welcome-

eventhough
it’s January. 

wary and temperate
grey wet sky

makes

melt off,

this 
makes lifting
power cords easier. 

above freezing,
cords flex and wrap
kindly. 

there’s
no crust 
to keepsake
the twinkle 
of seasonal shine. 

no complaints
from
stiff fingers. 

no black ice 
to threaten
ladder footings. 

even 
a sudden declaration
of fair weather 

like this,

a climate change
up 
favouring
type-a personalities,

lionizes 
my ego. 

i refuse
to be 
that guy,

the outlier
in July,

with 
Christmas lights
competing
against

summer sunsets,

bonfires,

and fireworks. 

storm

we stood 
face to face
in half light.

two fronts
waiting out the
other to fall.

an audience
would have noticed
leaves turn
light side up.

my dad told 
me when leaves
refuse to prostrate,
expect rain.

for me though
it was a gesture;
a way to say
i expect a change.

showing my open
hand meant that
i had nothing more
to give.

i needed.