swimming pool steaming
a first leaf slowly spiral falling
single finger points to heaven
swimming pool steaming
a first leaf slowly spiral falling
single finger points to heaven
sweeter than ice cream
salt as the ocean beyond the horizon
a snap of peperoncino
sun beats down
wind drops
olive grove a car park
clouds begin to gather above the distant mountains across the sea
swimmers wade from the water, warming bodies with wrapped arms
a lizard disappears behind the waterfalling caper bush
and, as we look at one another, we understand
clouds roll across the sun
in time with the crash of the waves
as we pick up towels and run for the car
the sky cries red-dust raindrops and we laugh
from the south the wind
softens biscuits, hardens hearts
open doors, damp nights
the summer is near ending
icy roof shower
nakedness dodging
the neighbours’ sharp eyes
memories burning fiercely
undimmed by ceaseless downpour
always summer in my heart
summertime patience
waiting for the bee to buzz
longing for arrival
muse appears on summer’s first day
flowers round her shaven head
oak trees shadow faces
thoughts and feelings wed