When the bottom drops out of August
 
when the bottom drops and the summer disc burns deep in its bed
 
when nerves sing, blaze, and flame their circuit
 
when the bottom of August sticks out
 
and clouds above change shape
 
when bodies inside spin and change shape
 
the bottom falls and meaning peeks out with chagrin
 
the hot skin of August no longer sending messages of summer
 
birds no longer at rest
 
when the winds pick up and the cool air is just behind it all
 
the bottom of the news story reveals itself
 
the story is cold