I thought it was August heat smothering us, making bedclothes stick and sleep an uncomfortable tangling together. Air-conditioning was poor, the unit beyond repair, with vents placed too high on the wall to be useful, leaving us to swim in a dark well of summer sweat. We threw off the sheets, kept the blinds closed, the curtains drawn, believing darkness would keep us cool. When you sought relief in a room down the hall, I chalked it up as a quest for comfort, but still you complained about the heat and found that room to be just as suffocating as the one you left. Even after a portable A/C cooled the night for sleep, you complained: about its size, the sound it made while it ran all day, traffic noise in the street, the voices of children at the nearby school, and the heat, an August heat that even Arctic air couldn't cool.
Should be the first page of a book entitled, “Every Month is August!“ Our grandchildren will invariably associate the “stickiness“ as sexy, rather than an annoyance.
Same with us when we finally got an apartment with A/C - in the summer it equaled our rent ($250). Still - we’d moved from NY where A/C existed only in our dreams..
There is a sense that something is building up, isn’t there? Until I wrote this poem, I always thought of ‘Hot August Nights’ as an album by Neil Diamond. Thanks for reading and commenting, Mark.
August, is that the name of the woman? It would be cute if it were.
I can just see your poem being studied in class. The instructor, reading it. Then asking the students what the poem is about. Of course they will respond, "The month of August and it being HOT!" Then instructor responds, "No. August is a woman and no matter what, she is INSATIABLE. Her man cannot SATISFY her carnal NEEDS." :-) Just the 'vision' I got.
Paul this makes me think you have spent a night in Arizona, or maybe Hawaii when the humidity is high but no AC in the old houses - I think the Hawaii night is worse - but then again the AZ heat is quite deadly with no air conditioning 😉
This August was in Southern California, but I've spent some August days in both Hawaii and Arizona and you're right, although I think AZ might be worse.
the pulling away has always been an image that haunts me as well
this helpless feeling of something so deeply and once easily tethered coming
unmoored
good job🤨
Thanks, A.K. You're right on the money!
I love this poem. The sadness is as palpable as the heat.
It was a hot month, and you're right, Maureen, it was a sad month, too.
I wish you had been spared the sadness.
Suddenly after reading this, I feel like I have to peel my clothes off.
Southern California in August—Hot, Hot, Hot!
I felt this.
Thanks for reading, Andee, and for your comment.
Should be the first page of a book entitled, “Every Month is August!“ Our grandchildren will invariably associate the “stickiness“ as sexy, rather than an annoyance.
I, however, can still feel the peel. Aargh!
You're such a great poet, Paul. I'm happy I found your page and have the blessings of reading your poetry daily.
I appreciate your comment, Victoria, Thank you for subscribing!
A NYC apartment in summer was its own kind of hell, but when young we’d never sleep apart.
After the kids we’d call dibs on couch because of living room A/C.
The A/C never worked as well as it should and the utility bills were always $275-$375 per month.
Same with us when we finally got an apartment with A/C - in the summer it equaled our rent ($250). Still - we’d moved from NY where A/C existed only in our dreams..
My A/C in Wisconsin runs maybe a week every Summer (so far 🙏🤞)
That’s great - we’re in the wrong state! Ours ran nearly non-stop😕
So much to weigh and consider here, Paul. How you move the story and emotion involved is very well done. Thank you for this, Paul.
You’re welcome, Steve & Thank You!
Nice, Paul! 👍
Thank you, Leon!
Whoa Lique, maybe I should reread it through your glasses.
You can already feel the sweat and the sweltering. Made me shudder a little—summer is so imminent.
Well, Trevor, I hope your Summer keeps the 85°-95° temperatures to a minimum or that your A/C is in good working order!
The imagery you used screams out the heaviness of the sadness.
It was a sad time, Monica. It would have been just as sad if the air conditioning had worked.
This is utterly beautiful, Paul.
Thank you so much, Fotini 🙏
The foreboding in this one. Like a slow boil.
There is a sense that something is building up, isn’t there? Until I wrote this poem, I always thought of ‘Hot August Nights’ as an album by Neil Diamond. Thanks for reading and commenting, Mark.
August, is that the name of the woman? It would be cute if it were.
I can just see your poem being studied in class. The instructor, reading it. Then asking the students what the poem is about. Of course they will respond, "The month of August and it being HOT!" Then instructor responds, "No. August is a woman and no matter what, she is INSATIABLE. Her man cannot SATISFY her carnal NEEDS." :-) Just the 'vision' I got.
Interesting comment, Lique. August does refer to the month, though.
I know. I'm just saying most poems have a double side to them. That's all I am saying.
Oh, yes, Lique, I’m very much for the reader bringing their own thoughts and experiences to bear when they read any poem.
I was going to use ur poetry in one of my stories.
Paul this makes me think you have spent a night in Arizona, or maybe Hawaii when the humidity is high but no AC in the old houses - I think the Hawaii night is worse - but then again the AZ heat is quite deadly with no air conditioning 😉
This August was in Southern California, but I've spent some August days in both Hawaii and Arizona and you're right, although I think AZ might be worse.
😂 but it’s a dry heat!! Meaning: you bake slowly!
Spent a lot of nights in Hawaii at his Moms home - no AC damn you described it perfectly!!