Summer has evolved

summer has evolved
my holiday is interrupted by 8 hours of
cold, conditioned computer-screen silence
it ends with a swift break-neck home
changing into shorts, singlets, jandals
sausages open windows drink
lickety split
air!
wandering to a mate's place
for gossip, cold beer and left overs

we compare burns like hard-won battle scars
red raw roasted
purple peeling blistered
straps, neck lines, curves, shadows
shyness vapours:
it's matter of fact when sharing with friends

we're old veterans, grimacing with approval
questioning; the clothes, the time, the place?
it takes a lifetime's experience
to recognise and grade them
without the shadow of cancer
we laugh and assent:
the inner knee is this week's coolest

but seeing the clock,
feeling the office dreading its way into our mind
we reluctantly say
ahhhh, thanks
I spose it's time to go
next time we'll have L&P and brandy
the perfect summer drink

saunter home
half watching the dark blue smooth to amber
(if only my eye make up were so faultless)
the street lights, this season's understated decorations
the residual heat of the day
mmmm
tomorrow night will be just as good