CALIFORNIA SUMMER

Summer heat--

sweet relief

in darkened hall

beneath the fan,

the rumbling wind,

the storm

that blew the cool

all through the house…

I’d catch a chill and die,

they claimed.

Disbelieving,

driven out to play,

I’d wait

another chance…

Summer feet--

freed from socks and keds

not always

sufficently aware

of bees among the clovers

growing green in golden lawn…

Dancing barefoot over

dark macadam streets

all afternoon

but in the dusk

relishing

warm sidewalks

before I had to go to bed

the sky still blue…

Summer treat--

popsicles

sweet and cold,

bright and sticky--

one stick or two

if pleading good behavior

won the prize

and we didn’t have to share…

Eagerly

we waited

dimes in hand,

for merry music dancing

on the summer evening air…