I have visited countries, even states here, where air conditioning is less prevalent. On trips to the south of France in the summer, I found that once I’d been there for a few days, my body adjusted. Then upon returning to the U.S., I’d freeze.
as the cool air does, in fact,
condition our bodies,
teaches us
to crave the artificial chill.
Yet, come winter,
we grab our sweaters,
hunker down under blankets,
shivering, as we nudge
the thermostat higher.
Is seventy still seventy
no matter the season?
The thermometer speaks
in absolutes, indifferent
to what our skin remembers.
We have been trained
for that just-right feeling,
the luxury of climate
controlled by machine,
vents breathing
comfort on demand.
And the fear:
what if the hum stops?
Without the chill,
without the warmth,
just us
and the earth.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Written on 2026-04-16 at 02:15
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Conditioned
Air conditioning should be a verbas the cool air does, in fact,
condition our bodies,
teaches us
to crave the artificial chill.
Yet, come winter,
we grab our sweaters,
hunker down under blankets,
shivering, as we nudge
the thermostat higher.
Is seventy still seventy
no matter the season?
The thermometer speaks
in absolutes, indifferent
to what our skin remembers.
We have been trained
for that just-right feeling,
the luxury of climate
controlled by machine,
vents breathing
comfort on demand.
And the fear:
what if the hum stops?
Without the chill,
without the warmth,
just us
and the earth.
Poetry by Melinda K Zarate
Written on 2026-04-16 at 02:15
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text
