Summer sounds like the growl of my 1990 Honda Civic hatch; like the strong gust that pushes in through the “oven” window, cause although we’ve got AC, it ain’t worth the price of fixin’. Nostalgically we can almost lick the freedom of the open road; that hot blacktop that permeates the air. We are...smitten...with the stereo on. That’s when we’re driving, cause when we’re home, there is only the symphony of frogs and crickets and yapping neighbors; the humid flavor of the night and whispers of the mosquito netting.... with the constant panting of the ceiling fan above.

#DogDaysofSummer #Challenge

The rich smell of barbequed ribs wafts through the air, reaching the noses of those who lounge by and in the pool. Clear, blue water sparkles in the sunshine, rippling as people in colorful bathing suits wade through it. Splashes sound from the other side where others are doing all sorts of jumps off the diving board. When they’re called, the fragments of the party gather onto the deck to form a whole. They sink their teeth into tender ribs, buttery corns on the cob, and fresh salad with Italian dressing. Everything is washed down with an assortment of drinks.

A small town

Junes here

98 is the high

Cigarettes stamp out the sweet smelling peonies

planted along the sidewalk, downtown.

The sun shines bright, everyone outside wears dark rimmed shades.

People sway by in dresses, shorts, tank tops, and sandals.

Music fesitval tonight

Bring your own blankets

the grass tickles the toes

the trumpet players tones ring out, a slow nod to the blues

Floods of people packed together are silent to hear him

Mosquitoes bite bare ankles, reclined up while the breeze blows

summer rests its head, dark clouds in the distance are

a reminder of scattered storms.