Small Town Hot Summer Afternoon
the warm bath of
summer sun on skin
the burnt tar smell
of fresh squished black top
children moping about outside
but not playing
the indoor whisper
of central air conditioning
the listless quiet of
trees and their leaves
bone white sidewalks empty
with nowhere to go
the “shoo-wee buddy” gift
of good shade
meaningless welcome signs
on empty shops
the eye flutter pleasure
of a fresh picked tomato
a sheriff on patrol
too hot to exit car
Dan Denton is a longtime union autoworker and former UAW chief steward turned poet and writer, which is possibly the most horrific financial decision you can make in the 21st century. He moved into a small camper he dubbed the Scrapes of Wrath, and while he will always call Toledo home, he tries to roam as much as possible.He has subsequently found far more happiness than he ever thought possible. His first poetry collection called Fight Songs for the Underdogs (Luchador Press) is coming soon, and he has a novel due out on Roadside Press in 2026.
