“Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.”
Kellie Elmore

The scents of summer
Linger in
The early evening:
The green
Of newly mown grass,
The perfume
Of honeysuckle
Hanging from
The fence, and
The lingering aromas
Of the neighbors'
Barbecues,
All laced with
The necessary odor
Of the citronella torches
That are supposed to keep
The mosquitoes at bay--
Which they do,
Sort of.
Still,
As I sit comfortably
In the Adirondack chair
My grandfather created
Years ago,
Sipping leisurely from
A sweating glass
Of ice tea
While I watch
The kids next door
Frolic in their
Wading pool,
I consider the ferocity
Of the winter just past
And find myself grateful
For the heat,
Even as I curse it
For being so hot.

c. 2025