Subtropic
“Yes, New York City is now considered to have a humid subtropical climate”
reads my Google searches’ AI overview.
When did that happen?
Oh wait it’s been?
The New York Times says the same.
goodbye maples, birches too.
The figs are out the burlap,
Jesus, we can’t go back.
An old pear watching over
three pawpaws in my yard,
grow well in Eden’s climate
planted last spring, to time it.
July & August’s usual joys:
fresh Champagne mangoes
hit the stores, our pears ripen
and Dad’s juicer overflows.
But September’s awfully warm out
Boulder rolling leads no where
I pace myself gainst’ burnout
‘gainst temperate warfare.
I guess I’ll picture mango trees
right by my pawpaws and my pears.
some I think I’ll plant, in threes maybe,
and pray the good lord beware,
and hope they’re taken from me.
Michael Crowley is an undergrad at SUNY Geneseo from Eden, NY, studying English (literature) and philosophy. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing poetry, gardening, spending time in parks, snowboarding, and most other outdoor activities.