Summer Sunset

A lazy afternoon soothes the restlessness of young children.

                                                   Alive in the heat of summer.

Resting in the shade, under canopies of leaves, sitting on bare floors.

                                                        Made of cooling smooth bamboo.

Elders sipping hot tea from small earthenware cups.

   Glazed to a pale green and cracked from the oven.

Fanning their peaceful wrinkled faces beaded with sweat.

                                               Hoping to cool their bodies.

Sitting on beaded cushions, strewn with tassels of golden string.

                       Of deep turquoise, raspberry, magenta and purple.

The chained dog is panting and laying still. 

               Trying to move the still, thick air.

Trees stand tall and still, aching and sore tired and parched.

                   Praying that a refreshing wind calm their pains.

                                    Among all the stillness is a common warmth.

            Not from the summer sun, but from the depths of our hearts.

For there will never be another afternoon of golden skies,

ruby painted grass, violet hills with such silent and delicate liveliness.