City Heat
sometimes it's unbearably HOT
and the kids are out
flashing across roads and open spaces
in splashes of bright sound,
automobiles and ladies with shopping bags
keep to the patterns of roads
and straight lines.
There is a hot haze
trees rise above it
waving their green tops
in a cooler breeze
while we queue unhappily
at the bank, bus stop, or checkout counter.
A sudden thunderstorm -
stallholders hastily cover their goods,
empty crisp packets, straws and paper cups,
squelch together on the pavement
stray cats shelter
under hedges and parked cars.
We grapple with the heat and haze
doing what we must do,
and then search the parks
for a space to breathe and play,
happy in our urban consolation
with no thought
of winter's coming clasp.
Evolution
and afterwards index
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