Aestivation
Thokozani Mbwana

we woke at the height of summer 

as the madar seeds fell limply from the sky

desiccated even after braving tides of air to land

on water evaporating at my feet after lukewarm rain—

rain that could no longer tame the raging fires that

ran across the lands, devouring crops and

uprooting earth’s roots

no longer summer’s nightmare but 

a frightening premonition seeping it’s way into our reality

until

we wake at the height of summer and

choose differently