You Might Only Live Once

When the temperature hits 103,
Cookie, in late middle age, calls
To say she is sitting in front of her fan

Completely nude. Round,
Bearded Cookie with an IQ
(I’m guessing) of considerably

Less than the actual temperature.

Cookie, living on her own
In a certain body, in a derelict
Frame of mind.

I adjust the air conditioning.

This is an island of memory.

Disconnected, tropical.

Cookie, long passed,
(Five, ten years?)

Clean out of view

Until the weather
resurrects her.

She was saying,

Hey, Charmi,
You might only live once.
You have to make do.