The slow heavy July heat ends
breaking up into a day
of bright breezes & color
leaves & sky bounce brilliantly around—
a light show of color & sound
I pull down the blackout shades
of my room
Shut the windows
Down a pill
Curl up under the sheets
waiting for softer sounds
so I can sleep
Roberta “Bobby” Santlofer (1943-2020) was a mother of sons, an avid reader, and a poet. A posthumous collection of her poetry is forthcoming. Santlofer’s poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Gargoyle, Philadelphia Stories, Grey Sparrow Review, and elsewhere.