The temperature today is above one hundred
degrees.

The horizon is a hot
violet

while I pack the car to take the children to the ocean.
The freeway

will be full of other riders.
I

will see trees by the side of the road waving
their cobalt hands,

like wives holding dead soldiers’ navy
suits

at an afternoon funeral.
I

will hear the ground thirsting for a sapphire stream.
The sky

will have a sad face. Some lucky
stars

will hide in an indigo memory.
I

will get to my destination, but the beach
parking lot

will be closed in a cage.
The water

will be a dirty teal.
I

will try to put the car
in reverse.