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Open Poetry #9
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Mona Lisa
Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 100
Halifax, Nova Scotia

0 posted 2000-09-13 06:09 AM


The sultry heat has made istelf 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 a shade
while in childish oblivion, the neighbourhood youngins' flutter about

I watch with undeterred interest at the girls twirling rope marathon
and the little guys riding their bikes a la tour de cul-de-sac
No solar swelter cannot undo these innocuous beings
as they are conquerers in this battle of the inferno sun

Suddenly, a pigtaled l'il miss decends near toting a sheepish grin
"Play jump rope with us", comes the sound from her lips,
and I hear her more than I see her, so severe is the glare from the sky

Since I am appalled at the heat, I shrink away from this childish invite
"Not in this heat!" I say, as I wipe 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 to fast for the sun to catch you."

I take time to 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
Right then, I feel a grip tightening around my neck

Then back from my mental excursion, and with no chance of yea or nay,
I am in the street, hurdling the candied rope and it's convex swing
I am their novelty act, like a new Christmas toy, generous in it's temporal glee

Even the lads have ceased their "vrooming",
careening their cycles at the curb
to gaze in delirious mirth at my spontaneity

Finally, I can take no more of this leapfest
I am too old for skipping songs and jump ropes
We swap goodbyes, the children resume their play,
and the fleeting fame of my sideshow is soon forgotten

And since my strength has run its course,
I stumble away and back to my chair under the the tree
I cannot outwit the rage of summer as these 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 09-13-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Mona Lisa - All Rights Reserved
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
1 posted 2000-09-13 06:22 AM


This is delightful!!!
Mona Lisa
Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 100
Halifax, Nova Scotia
2 posted 2000-09-13 04:43 PM


Thanks you Suthern.  I'm glad you like it.  I had fun reminicing about my childhood while writing this  poem.  

[This message has been edited by Mona Lisa (edited 09-13-2000).]

poutprincess
Senior Member
since 2000-07-06
Posts 735
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
3 posted 2000-09-13 05:11 PM


oh this is lovely! i do enjoy stories of childhood, even if the heat was stifling!
~Dawn

"Steady as it comes, right down to you, I've said it all, so maybe we're a Bliss of another kind" Bliss-Tori Amos



Mona Lisa
Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 100
Halifax, Nova Scotia
4 posted 2000-09-14 05:57 AM


Thank you so much poutprincess.  I'm glad you liked it.  
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