1920s Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island and Lagoons

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

The blue of dawn in Florida is false.

It lies that coolness like itself might stay,

But soon the dance of cirrhus clouds will waltz

Away and bring the humid heat of day

Upon lagoons and land, a heat as wet

(Well, almost) as lagoons themselves.

This heat will bring out awful odor set

In rotting seaweed by its shores.  Heat delves

Unpitying in nose invaded by

Fart-like fragrance.  Small escape on Cape

Or coasts can be provided from this sly

Obtrusion.  Breezes give folk no escape.

  The girls turn faces towards the stinkless sea.

    The boys continue fishing by the quay.