Heat Wave
It is thick and sticky and hot
Like walking around in snot.
The Ohio River Valley feels
like walking on the Devil’s hills.
I’ve heard of Hell’s front porch
and here we sit and together scorch.
We have had to learn the heat index
because it trumps the temperature’s effects.
About climate change, we don’t worry.
When it is mentioned the politicians scurry.
Ten such days this year we can bear
but what about 2050? We don’t care.
Crooked Creek by Sue Mattingly 