The long days
Of the bitter winter
And cold spring
Are no more.
As most of Canada
Is baking
In the oven
Like a loaf of bread
With this mid-summer heat
And humidity.
As if
Someone had thrown
The heat switch on
Suddenly.
Gone
Are the dark drury layers
Of bulky winter clothing
That had left
A small part of the face
Exposed.
Now
One needs
A magnifying glass
To find of any clothing.
As people try
To hide their alabaster skin
In any shade
But their current pale hue.
People rush to
The nearest store
To purchase those fans
Or air conditioning units
That they put off
From last year.
In seeking relief
From the sudden
And brutal heat.
Intently
Curious children gather
Around an adult
Who cracked an egg
Upon the hot sidewalk.
Hoping to see
The egg fry
Before them.
Often
They hear
A family members
Tell them.
It's hot enough
To fry an egg
On the sidewalk.
With a smile
On their sweaty faces.
Only to leave
With disappointed faces
At the still uncooked egg
After several moments
Of silent observation.
Until their attention
Is drawn away
With a sprinkler set up
By another parent.
Swimsuit clad children
Run around and play
Under the cooling water
Shrieking and laughing
In the poor man's splash pad
Like only children can do.
As adults
Count the days
That saner temperatures
Are the norm
Once more.
Therisa © 2018
Author's note: The projected temperature is a high of 32°C, for Toronto, Ontario. Well above seasonal average for this time of the year. And summer doesn't for another 3 weeks, or so. Sigh. Worse, the landlords don’t have to turn the air conditioning until June 2nd, regardless hot and humid that the weather may get, according to Toronto bylaws. .
