REMEMBER THIS

It’s summer, the second week of July,
and, of course, you’re not going anywhere.
Not with such sad music
gripping your stereo
and the humidity near
ninety-seven percent.
If you pay attention, someday
you’ll remember all of this
as a benchmark
for when your days were simple,
though melancholy,
when the world’s stubborn
disorder seemed to somehow
signify some higher
direction beyond us,
but still beautiful.
With tonight comes the realization
that you can love this world
regardless of so much tragedy
itching like a broken rash
across its skin.
Remember this, keep it close.
In the coming years that love
will be tested.
Oh my,
how it’ll be tested.