Sunny Shore

dawns break early; noons blaze,
roads waver under white glare,
lawns parch; hoses spray beads.

shore calls whole towns,
towel after towel lines these sands,
small hands build tower walls,
waves break; brine bites burnt knees,
gulls steal fries; radio plays.

light stays later; hours stall,
melon juice drips; chins shine,
skies blush peach above water,
moths swarm porch lamps.

after weeks, heavy cloud comes,
white bolts split humid skies,
booms shake every porch,
rains pound; roofs steam,
dusty roads drink again.

night cools; frogs start their songs,
sandy towel dries along fence,
every child keeps these hours:
sweet, brief, whole.