1986
Sunset at 6:51
August 1986


“Sunset at 6:51,” New Era, Aug. 1986, 28

Sunset at 6:51

I lie on the beach

and watch the sun

trickle into finger paintings

of purple crayon grease.

Closing my eyes,

I listen

to this yellow orb

melt chocolate

and blow ginger.

Vacant air tastes like

warm lemonade

as it fills my open mouth

seeping between my teeth,

tickling my stomach.

My fingertips

dip into invisible swirls

of dyed tapioca pudding.

Fingers slide over the sky;

I sign my name in

daylight’s heaven.

My signature

dissolves into sunset.

Illustration by Lynell Barrett