It’s been raining all day
But summer has arrived in time for post work spontaneity
There is more moisture in the air
than in the river 500 yards away
But the sun and what passes for heat informs the locals that summer is here
The clouds are wispy yet grey, pregnant with more rain, but not yet full term
No artifacts of an all-day heat
Recognizable as summer everywhere else
No remains of team games played for fun that have gone on too long
But there are still small groups sitting upon the ground talking of anything but sad stories of the death of kings
These are the marks of a change of plans and the maximizing of temperate temperatures
The capturing of moments of apricity and of summer lives envied from TV
With Burroughs obscenities playing in my headphones
I causally wonder what obscenities play in insulating bubbles of others
No organized running on what was supposed to be another rainy day
But plenty of dog walkers, individual joggers, and evening strolls
A lack of electric bikes and scooters an added intolerant bonus
Headphones interfering with that most British of habits; acknowledging strangers
Although “good evening” sounds pretentious and is not the equal of “good morning”
While the Scottish trademark of dressing for summer and winter simultaneously is in full effect
“Why sir, how does one get such well-defined pure alabaster calves?”
“Why madam, that off the shoulder hoodie offsets the sports bra beautifully”
The grass in backyards is long and unkept, the rain will do that
Encouraging growth but then stymying it getting cut
Unless someone jumps on the lawnmower straight after work like newlyweds
The grass will have to wait till a more traditional summers day
Nobody is eating ice cream, but then nobody expected this slice of summer today
Not even confectionery capitalists or forethinking housekeepers
No, not this summer evening, in the park.
Word Outlet 