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.