summer's charms

i just love summer. parties going deep into the nite on friends porches, underneath street lites, inbetween the glow of citronella candles illuminating the rings of sweat on tables from big red cups. of day long, weekend long sojourns to the beach watching children skip with glee along the oceans edge, wagons of balls, frisbees, wiffle bats, umbrellas, coolers and beach chairs being pulled through the sand, while that prime piece of time eroded is picked in earnest. sometimes staying o'er nite on the sands, waking up to the crash of the surf, the hand full of surfers paddling out on the green waters. other times the day ending, shuffling down streets among the bungalows in flip flops and sandals the soft aroma of coconut tanning lotion, sun baked skin and sea breeze in hair. these nite's falling across the din of revelers on these said porches, retiring to rooms, where windows welcome the nite's breeze dancing dancing with curtains waving silent o'er naked bodies warm from the day's sun. long car rides through winding country roads passing fruit and vegetable stands that are guarded by lonely tractors, sitting rusted, mute in tall sun bleached grasses. destinations reached, stretching legs and arms, giving gifts of wine, beer, casseroles, dips, being ushered into backyard, patios where mouths oiled with drinks of considerable influence talk of work, gossip, big important purchases, friends and acquaintances not in attendance. the smell of charcoal burning and the sizzle of hot dogs, chicken, sausages, burgers, clams.