it's midsummer
i'm walking along belt creek
the sun is blaring
baking rocks in the dust
there's a frenzy of ants
as i sit down to unload my backpack and rest
i am glistening with sweat
i can feel the sting of salt on my lips
i can see the traintracks i've been following, extending to the horizon
the hollow crunch of volcanic rocks
has accompanied me for miles
i see waves of heat shimmer over the rails
it is fly buzzing hot
there is an agitated chatter of insects
the warped wood planks are smeared with gooey tar
i feel like some grimy prospector from long ago
i feel alive
i am on the move
