the heat of the sun
lingers long after
i have escaped
to air-conditioned indoors
in spite of a thick
layer of sunscreen
and the hat with that flap
that covers the neck
like i’ve been on safari
it tingles like a memory
that won’t form–
a vague image in the foggy
edges of a dreaming mirror
or a desire that won’t
expose itself to the light
hiding under the skin
to preserve itself
and the skin
