movie of the summer

                        Taking Cover

   Thunderheads gathering all afternoon,

  whisking a choice to give up gardening

 and go to a movie, something Sundance

might recommend. “Walk the dog soon

 or nothing doing,” called down a glance

  to the sky, its purple factory hardening

   the hail about to pelt the neighborhood.

     Familiar with scouts, Captain Fantastic

      seemed a safe pick—the translated title

       ‘This is Our World’ stacking some deck

        to underscore home. A theatrical trick?

       A shrug off of Elton? A nod to be Czech?

      At any rate, we have a saddle and bridle

     to ride this storm out, as movies should.

   Then gathers a sunset that needn’t end,

  from feral purity to sophisticated scum,

 Chomsky’s challenges, sheepish charm,

calling kids to read. World on the mend,

 ours or otherwise, hunting not to harm,

  making music on a self-stretched drum

   and out-maneuvering the Man, for good.

     Weather inside needs a forecast withal,

      as suddenly rainfall threatens my eyes;

       ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’ for a funeral song

        catches me cold (also warm). In the fall

       of ’88 my dad, brother and I take a long

      drive to college, bidding final goodbyes,

     and this tune attends our brotherhood.