relief

it's a feeling that comes in lower case
rushing slowly over, a tide unexpected
perhaps hoped for, to make the sand
less hot under the immoderate sun

it's not a cast, nor am i cast in it
rather it flows from the feeling that
the fear was specific and also 
misplaced, ebbing as the heat

modicum of temperature median
sipped, not drunk, unshaken and 
stirring, clichés hugging my 
uncertain middle, and a sigh