Autumn is a dead rattlesnake

laid out by th freeway

semi squashed halted in transit

only two seasons in this blasted place

summer an not

a time of quiet

AC

Swamp Box

fan

silent...

our brain cases cooling

we retract

claws fangs thorns stingers

sprays caustic an burning

all manner of defenses...

to flee our dark burrows

to stand chittering in pale sunlight