King Ahab (1 Kings 18:1–6)

Crops shrink and sizzle
in pernicious heat
it’s fine
I’ve stacked
enough energy drinks
in my caves
for you
to ride at dawn

Swallow it all
my troops
and head out
search for every pip of grain
look hard

The widows crying
for children
too weak for tears
see hope at last
as you gather
pearls of barley
They don’t know
it’s for my darling
war horses