summer heat
stufffed animal vendor
in the gas station parking lot

Heather Aymer

driving past the billboard
last chance for fireworks
before the state line

Bob Reed (2)

fireworks over the lake
whistle and Boom
      or sizzle

a spiderweb
flapping in the summer wind

or

spiderweb
in the summer wind
flapping

it is so hot—
dog chases cat
both walking

or

it is so hot!
a dog after the cat
both walking

fireworks
the little wind playing
on the bicycle-tire swing

mom enforces fireworks ban
children whine

bunting blowing away from
a small pavilion
family reunion residue

little boys feel independent
throwing firecrackers
at the neighbor’s pit bull

summer wind
with my book on the porch
I lose my page

Heather Aymer

summer wind
with my book on the porch
I lose my page
ice cubes shift
in the glass of tea

capped by Dr. Brooks

blocked in
by a van
fourth of July

Heather Aymer

blocked in
by a van
fourth of July
the baby
at long last asleep

capped by Bob Reed

bumble-bee on the weed flowers

Heather Aymer

Uncle Sam towers
over everyone
parading on stilts

Bob Reed

Uncle Sam towers
over everyone
parading on stilts
the girl almost forgets
her poison ivy

capped by Bob Reed (2)

the realtor’s business cards
spear every boulevard
attached to stars and stripes

the purple smoke bomb
rolls downhill
…trailing stink

he tosses firecrackers
still ten fingers

teenagers fire bottle rockets
over the quarry . . .
no real direction

Bob Reed (3)
First Place