Hat and sunglasses

do not dampen the flare

of the mountain autumn sun.

Over the trees and

beyond the chairlift

it peeks

from behind the clouds.

Now it is hot

and getting hotter

as the hat hunkers

down.

But just then

the cooling clouds cross again

like the misunderstood emotions

of a new girlfriend.

The gondola sits empty.

This bench has but one.

A young man

alone

with his thoughts.

Kirk Merlin