On a very hot day

When you feel baked like a brioche

When you sweat every time you move

Or breathe

I like to stand in the lake in front of my house

Up to my neck in cold water

So I look like a disembodied head to passing boaters

When the waves want to splash my face

I stand on tiptoes

Otherwise I just

Walk through the water

And keep my eye out for turtles.

When a boat comes close

Looking for a good spot to drop a line

I shout out hey

And watch the fisherman scramble away

Scared of the mad head bobbing in the water

Me, the ghoul of the lake.

Not worth tempting the ghoul’s wrath for just

A few fish.