in the heat

drenched in my
own sweat from a
day out in the sun
working because i
need to, no other
reason than that
can explain being
up on a ladder in
ninety nine degree
heat. but this house
needs me, needs
my arms to cradle
it and smooth out
the wrinkles, fill
in the gaps and
lay a fresh new coat
of love on her boards,
on her abs and lats.