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
sufficiently 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
against my soles
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…

2006