The Weather As Our Guide. by Jason Baldinger

whiskey and eggs
for breakfast
on the porch

a storm comes east
over Savage Mountain
dark clouds blocked
by the shade of the awning

we hear lightning
crack on the funeral home lawn
it’s the Fourth of July
fireworks are a must

the clouds claw
into view
moving forwards
looking backwards
they ebb, the tide
faces come
wolves and dragons
one vicious shark
a ballerina drowns
resurfaces as a pixie

the pressure drops
the first beads of sweat
on the pavement
the awning shelled
the relief comes slowly
doesn’t last long

let’s go grab a beer
climb in the shower
create our own tempest
the weather as our guide

Jason Baldinger is a poet hailing from Pittsburgh and recently finished a stint as writer in residence at the Osage Arts Community. He’s the author of several books, the most recent are This Useless Beauty (Alien Buddha Press), The Ugly Side of the Lake (Night Ballet Press) written with John Dorsey and the chaplet Fumbles Revelations (Grackle and Crow) which are available now. The collection Fragments of a Rainy Season (Six Gallery Press) and the split book with James Benger Little Fires Hiding (Spartan Press) are forthcoming. Recent publications include the Low Ghost Anthology Unconditional Surrender, The Dope Fiend Daily, Outlaw Poetry, Uppagus, Lilliput Review, Rusty Truck, Dirtbag Review, In Between Hangovers, Your One Phone Call, Winedrunk Sidewalk, Anti-Heroin Chic, Nerve Cowboy Concrete Meat Press, Zombie Logic Press, Ramingo’s Porch, Blue Mountain Review, Red Fez, Blue Hour Review and Heartland! Poetry of Love, Solidarity and Resistance. You can hear Jason read poems on recent and forthcoming releases by Theremonster and Sub Pop Recording artist The Gotobeds as well as at jasonbaldinger.bandcamp.com