Dog Day

Ow!

Damn bugs, damn mosquitos.
You’d think I’m a masochist
as often as I have to slap myself.

Ow! Damn!

The air hangs hazily
over the green trees and the
brown grass thirsting for rain,
even the woodland critters
seem to struggle unsuccessfully
against the heaviness.

Ow! Ow!

Iced tea is best:
freshly minted, clear and crisp,
glass dripping in invitation,
sending blessed shock waves
with the first sip.

I don’t want tomorrow to get here too soon,
even though it will be just like today.
Far too soon the world will get busy,
time will be too ordinary,
and I just want to lie here
and bask in being
in the shade
in spite fo the damn bugs.

The self-abuse is worth it.

Ow! Damn!