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Inferno Summer
| Open Poetry #9 |
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Inferno Summer |
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Mona Lisa Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 100Halifax, Nova Scotia |
The sultry heat has made itself known to all who celebrate summer. Relief from it is scarce, and breezes don't exist. The record books will declare this one a winner, and farmer's almanacs will relish in their accuracy. And I've guzzled water by the half dozen cups per hour, and now sit bloated and potbellied under the tree, longing for shade. But there is none. It's no surprise to me, that in childish oblivion, the neighbourhood youngins' flutter about, undefeated by the heat. I watch with undeterred interest as little girls jump rope in a skipping frenzy, and little guys ride their bikes 'round in circles No sweltering solar system can undo these innocuous beings They are conquerers in this battle of the inferno sun Suddenly, a pigtaled l'il miss decends near, bringing a sheepish grin with her. "Play jump rope with us", comes the sound from her lips. And I hear her more than I can see her, so severe is the glare from the sky. Since I am appalled at the heat, I recoil in horror at this childish invitation. "Not in this heat!" I exclaim, wiping my sweatladen brow. "Not a chance!" "But it is fun." urges the child "The heat can't catch you when you jump a rope. Jumping makes you too fast for the sun to catch you." Momentarily, I ponder these "silly" pearls of wisdom. To my knowledge any degree of hotness likes to grab you by the throat and choke the breath from you. I'm feeling that way, right then. Snapped from my reverie, I feel tiny hands tugging away at my arm. And time stands still as the others in the street stop singing their skipping songs All have stopped their play as numerous sets of innocent eyes stare at me, awaiting my answer. "Will she or won't she?", they seem to mutter amongst themselves. I am challenged to accept this offer. Or am I offering to accept the challenge? I am unsure at this point. And then, without a yea or a nay, I am in the street, jumping the ropes, as breasts and potbelly shake while the girls sing along with the turning rope. I am bashful at these motions, which appear to go unnoticed by the gleeful youngsters. I am their novelty act, like a new Christmas toy, lending temporary excitement to its recipient. Even the tiny lads have ceased their "vroom, vrooming", and brought their pretend motorbikes to a grinding hault. They look on, chuckling at my display of sportspersonship. Or is it...embarrassment? I am unsure at this point. Finally, I can take no more of this leapfest. I am too old for skipping songs and jump ropes. So I bid them goodbye. They wave me away and promptly head back to play---my sideshow quickly forgotten. With my strength abated, and the hotness grasping at my throat, I stumble away and back to my chair on the lawn, under the the tree again. I decide I'll let the heat rage on and let them fight it. I can't outwit it as the youngsters can. I cannot abide this battle of the inferno sun. I chuckle in spite of myself, knowing I am not fast enough for the sun not to catch me. [This message has been edited by Mona Lisa (edited 09-02-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Mona Lisa - All Rights Reserved | |||
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
"I chuckle in spite of myself, knowing I am not fast enough for the sun not to catch me". Mona Lisa, a wonderful poem, even we got some sun over here in rainy Ireland. Loved the poem. Sit down and bargain "Until your tongues are dry If the havoc and the shame continue We'll drown you in our putrefaction" Primo Levi |
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Mona Lisa Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 100Halifax, Nova Scotia |
Thank you for your kind comments, Brian. Where I live, the summer has been a hot one, and "relief has been scarce". But I'm glad to see that the sun has been shining where you are also. |
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