Summer's Symphony

Dew evaporates
Too soon--sleepy blades of grass
Lament its passing.

Sun bears brightly down,
Earth quickly coerced awake,
Enforced cheerfulness.

Sun's relentless drone,
Mingled with cicadas' shrill--
Summer's symphony.

Bouncing basketball,
Staccato of skipping ropes,
Drum scorching asphalt.

Mingled with laughter,
And chanting children's voices,
Unbothered by heat.

Sun ascends further,
Noon hour draws ever closer,
Persipiration shows

Blossoms on foreheads
Of kids cavorting outside--
"Let's get our swimsuits!"

Others nod assent,
Disperse, then regroup quickly,
In search of water.

Some beeline to pools,
Others, not so fortunate,
Forced to improvise,

Forage for solace
(Like parched desert explorers)
From dehydration.

Garden-sprinkler god,
August-afternoon Mecca
Worshippers gather

Praise their deity,
Dancing as it christens them
With its rhythmic spray:

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-CHHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-CHHHAAAAHHHH!!!!
Ch-ch-ch-ch-CHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"

Children, euphoric--
Grass, tickling their tender feet
Gratefully agrees.