Barely visible opal hills in heat haze

and shimmering surfaced streets.

Little dog invisibly belly-sprawled

on icy marble cupboard floor

in frantic search of coolth.

 

Balcony dwellers limply gasping

slightly straightening only

at sight of heavy watering-can.

But oleander and bougainvillea

evidently in their element

flaunting their lovely abundance.

 

Birds only heard in early morning freshness,

too scorching to even sing?

Elders tetchily trapped at home

crossly attempting to work out

incomprehensible manuals for their new A/C.

 

Exhausted tourists staggering zombie-like

with totally inadequate paper parasols,

peddler provided, to avoid complete collapse.

Has summer become a thing  of dread,

no longer a source of leisure, pleasure and delight?

 

We told you so, the weathermen proclaim,

but too few heeded when there was still time.

 

 

.