after dark
sunshine exacts its sweet toll
in currency of sleep
each coin glinting with the memory
of sun-soaked scenes
in golds and greens
each one heavy
pulling my attention down
into a pool of lassitude
where all intention melts
behind the pulsing
of the heat returning to the night
rising from my skin
recounting every moment
drawing me in.
©Wendy Mulhern
May 18, 2011