THE CITY IN SUMMER

by Melanie Blatt

A breathy breeze I’m a graffitied rooftop

Putting on clothes to get painted in sweat

Sun steaming a heady high

Kissing the day sensuous and slow

Time moves different under her gaze

Wanting the day to turn to night as little as we do

The sun shines its rays even as it passes the horizon

Leaving licks of sherbet push pops on curves of clouds

The sticky heat releases its grasp to a euphoric cool in a way only summer can

Post sunset clarity - the beating in your chest that signifies an internal communication, the calling of your soul to itself

It seems everyone is easier in summer, the heat makes it hard to hold things too close Chaos, it is a cricket singing its song, whether music or noise is up to you

Routines disrupted as missed workouts in favor of happy hours, teams calls go unanswered, and pockets empty

In the name of laughter that lifts off your chest with the weight of feather, smiles that refract lightness, memories that write the pages of our 20s

How lucky we are to have more days, more time to tender the garden we keep for ourselves

Gardens becoming so overfilled with fruit we can share with others

Hearts in bloom so we may let in the love and light from others

The salty sea a known healer for all wounds, let her wash over us in sight, sound, skin

The world is still on fire but in summer we roast marshmallows and weenies with it

Seed the soil, serenade the sun, and soak in the rain

The sun rises and falls, waves crash

Take notice of the movement around and join in this energy

This is the time for growth.

You are alive

You can forgive

You have power