in the haze of extreme highs this week
gas prices, heat and humidity
my son’s driving around with a trunk load
two sets of golf clubs
and a full set of Belgian Lawn bowls*

I wake these days to squeals in the basement
my newly-retired husband
shredding his old paperwork from the office

after handling my produce
and handing me my change
the morning clerk at the grocery store
complains of her raging fever and illness

I pass by a neighbor’s house on my evening walk
and recognize our bamboo chair set from
this morning’s trash
he thanks me for his treasure, then asks
but where’s the cushion, and how on earth
does one sit comfortably in the seat?
I think of beggars and choosers
but smiling, tell him where he can buy a pad
(though they’re $l00)
and how it all works

just another Mad Dog Day

06/28/2005