Sensai

New scents
as the dog days appear
on the battlefield of
unplowed fields
but the heat, the heat
a noose,
a nuisance
a petulance
born of fresh dew
mid-day death
stifling, hence
a stark new sense
to vanquish
all discomfit
so catholic in our
guilt
or gilded mail of chain
girthed for the battle
for ranking, for rights
to do penance
or better
to be judged
severely.