Hot wind
from the south
searing my senses
with words dinned
In torrents from a mouth
that never stops.

I yearn for Frost
cool, white page
who speaks only when bidden
sparse words tossed
by cryptic sage
sly humor hidden.

Soul's edges are singed
faint breath is fading, I wither
consumed
caught in the path
of her everyday weather.

About the Author

Dorothy Bodwell, a retired clerical supervisor from Contra Costa County, graduate of John F Kennedy University, is a widow with a son and daughter and five grandsons. She was born in Saskatchewan, Canada, grew up in Minnesota and has lived in Martinez since 1947.

She started writing poetry twenty years ago while enrolled in a Creative Writing Program at John F. Kennedy University and has won numerous prizes in poetry competitions. She is a member of Mt. Diablo Chapter of the California Writer's Club, Crystal Writers Workshop of Chaparrel Poets and a member of the Ina Coolbrith Poetry Circle. Along with writing, she has enjoyed quilting and oil painting classes and found that they all complemented and reinforced each other.